handy

adjective

ˈhan-dē 

handier; handiest

1

a

: conveniently near

b

: convenient for use

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

• convenient
• accessible

Examples of handy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The blazer is also lined, which comes in handy on chilly evenings. —Izzy Baskette, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025

That trust between play caller and playmaker could come in handy Sunday, with Denver DC Vance Joseph, known for his aggressive schemes, likely ratcheting up the pressure on Jones and forcing quicker decisions that could make Jones rely more on Warren to beat it. —James Boyd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025

This could be especially handy in this day and age of murky international shipping timelines. —Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit I can’t count how many times this little first aid kit has come in handy during my kids’ sports seasons. —Laura Lu, Parents, 10 Sep. 2025

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