handle

1 of 2

noun

han·​dle ˈhan-dᵊl 

1

: a part that is designed especially to be grasped by the hand

2

: something that resembles a handle

3

a

: title sense 4

a royal handle

b

: name

also : nickname

went by his childhood handle

4

: hand sense 9c

the smooth handle of silk

5

: the total amount of money bet on a race, game, or event

6

: a means of understanding or controlling

can't quite get a handle on things

handled

ˈhan-dᵊld 

adjective

handleless

ˈhan-dᵊl-(l)əs 

adjective

handle

2 of 2

verb

handled; handling ˈhan-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈhan(d)-liŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to try or examine (as by touching, feeling, or moving) with the hand

handle silk to judge its weight

b

: to manage with the hands

handle a horse

2

a

: to deal with in writing or speaking or in the plastic arts

He handles the topic briefly in his book.

b

: to have overall responsibility for supervising or directing : manage

a lawyer handles all my affairs

c

: to train and act as the assistant for (a boxer)

handles featherweight boxers

d

: to put up with : stand

can't handle the heat

3

: to act on or perform a required function with regard to

handle the day's mail

4

: to engage in the buying, selling, or distributing of (a commodity)

intransitive verb

: to act, behave, or respond in a certain way when handled or directed

a car that handles well

handleable

ˈhan-dᵊl-ə-bəl 

adjective

Phrases

off the handle

: into a state of sudden and violent anger

—usually used with fly

seemed ready to fly off the handle

Synonyms

Noun

• grip
• haft
• handgrip
• helve

Verb

• address
• contend (with)
• cope (with)
• field
• grapple (with)
• hack
• manage
• maneuver
• manipulate
• negotiate
• play
• swing
• take
• treat

Examples of handle in a Sentence

Noun

He held the shovel by the handle.

The handles on the bag were torn.

Verb

Handle the fruit carefully or it will bruise.

The baked potatoes were too hot to handle with our bare hands.

He knows how to handle a motorcycle.

He handles his motorcycle well.

She learned how to handle a weapon.

She handles all the bookkeeping.

The system is handled by the main computer.

She's proven that she can handle anything.

The airport handles both passenger and cargo flights.

She couldn't handle being away from her children for more than a couple of days.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Instead, use heavy-duty totes with handles for the hefty stuff and carefully wrap breakables or pointy things in padded paper. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024

The kitchen gadget has a large knob that’s easy to turn and ergonomic handles that are comfortable to hold. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Verb

As office manager of an Indiana recruiting firm, Jolene Rosario enjoyed the predictable nature of her weekly duties – handling payroll and workers’ compensation insurance, paying invoices and answering employment questions from state agencies. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024

Catch + Release handles the legal heavy lifting, allowing brands to focus on creative storytelling to meet the growing demands of digital platforms, all while ensuring compliance with rights and usage requirements. —Jamie Gutfreund, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English handel, from Old English handle; akin to Old English hand

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing handle

• fly off the handle
• get/have a handle on
• handle oneself

Kids Definition

handle

1 of 2 noun

han·​dle ˈhan-dᵊl 

1

: a part that is designed to be grasped by the hand

2

: name entry 1 sense 1, title sense 3

handled

-dᵊld 

adjective

handle

2 of 2 verb

handled; handling ˈhan-(d)liŋ 

-dᵊl-iŋ

1

a

: to touch, feel, hold, or move with the hand

b

: to manage with the hands

handle a horse

2

a

: to deal with or act on

handle a problem

b

: control entry 1 sense 1b, direct

an accountant handles my financial concerns

c

: to put up with : stand

can't handle the heat

3

: to deal or trade in

a store that handles rugs

4

: to act, behave, or respond in a certain way when managed or directed

a car that handles well

handler

ˈhan-(d)lər

-dᵊl-ər

noun