handy

¹

[ han-dee ]

adjective

, hand·i·er, hand·i·est.

1. within easy reach; conveniently available; accessible:

   The aspirins are handy.

2. convenient or useful:

   A digital thermometer is a handy thing to have at home.

3. skillful with the hands; deft; dexterous:

   a handy person.

   Synonyms: versatile, all-around

4. easily maneuvered:

   a handy ship.

   Synonyms: yare, wieldy, manageable

Handy

²

[ han-dee ]

noun

1. W(illiam) C(hristopher), 1873–1958, U.S. blues composer.

Handy

¹

/ ˈhændɪ /

noun

1. HandyW(illiam) C(hristopher)18731958MUSMUSIC: blues musicianMUSIC: songwriter W ( illiam ) C ( hristopher ). 1873–1958, US blues musician and songwriter, esp noted for the song "St Louis Blues"

handy

²

/ ˈhændɪ /

adjective

1. conveniently or easily within reach
2. easy to manoeuvre, handle, or use

   a handy tool

3. skilful with one's hands

Derived Forms

• ˈhandiness, noun

Other Words From

• handi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of handy¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (in surnames); hand, -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see come in handy .

Synonym Study

See dexterous.

Example Sentences

Handy with tools, Daniel offers to help Katie fix up her new home.

From Los Angeles Times

“These projects are being oversold to the public as a way to reduce congestion; they are not,” said Susan Handy, director of the National Center for Sustainable Transportation at UC Davis.

From Los Angeles Times

In Colorado, Holland and several other climate activists used Handy’s calculator to do more than measure increased driving.

From Seattle Times

In a statement Monday, Anchorage police said four officers who responded to a domestic disturbance began shooting at Kristopher K. Handy outside an apartment complex after he raised a gun toward them.

From Seattle Times

District Court in Washington sentenced the activist, Lauren Handy, 30, of Virginia, to 57 months in prison for her role in the blockade, officials said.

From New York Times

Related Words

• available
• convenient
• helpful
• manageable
• neat
• practicable
• practical
• profitable
• useful