handy

adjective

ˈhan-dē 

handier; handiest

1

a

: conveniently near

keeps his dictionary handy

b

: convenient for use

a handy little tool

The extra batteries came in handy during the blackout.

c

of a ship : easily handled

2

: clever in using the hands especially in a variety of useful ways

handy with a hammer as well as with a paintbrush

handiness noun

Synonyms of handy

• convenient
• accessible

Examples of handy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Keep the dressing recipe handy to accompany other salads. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

Like so many of his amigos, Carlos Arody Cuevas De La Cruz is handy with a knife, at least according to his rap sheet. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

These handy stakes are solar powered and emit low frequency sounds that gophers hate but humans can’t hear. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026

Although, if using in normal conditions, these binoculars are a handy small pair that have easy-to-use image stabilization (IS) which even disengages after five minutes of use to prevent accidentally leaving it on for too long. —Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing handy

• come in handy
• handy-dandy
• handy for

Rhymes for handy

• bandy
• brandy
• candy
• dandy
• grandee
• randy
• shandy

Kids Definition

handy

adjective

ˈhan-dē 

handier; handiest

1

a

: conveniently near

b

: easily handled or used

a handy sloop

a handy reference book

2

: clever in using the hands : dexterous

handy with a needle

Biographical Definition

Handy

biographical name

Han·​dy ˈhan-dē 

W(illiam) C(hristopher) 1873–1958 American blues musician