handle

¹han·dle

noun \ˈhan-d^əl\

Definition of HANDLE

1

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

2

: something that resembles a handle

3

a : title 8

b : name; also : nickname

4

: hand 11c

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>

— han·dled \-d^əld\ adjective

— han·dle·less \-d^əl-(l)əs\ adjective

— off the handle

: into a state of sudden and violent anger —usually used with fly

Examples of HANDLE

1. He held the shovel by the handle.
2. The handles on the bag were torn.

Origin of HANDLE

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HANDLE

Synonyms

grip, haft, handgrip, helve

Related Words

bar, handlebar; bail, bow, loop; hilt, shaft; crop, whipstock; broomstick

²handle

verb

han·dledhan·dling \ˈhan(d)-liŋ, ˈhan-d^əl-iŋ\

Definition of HANDLE

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

b : to have overall responsibility for supervising or directing : manage <a lawyer handles all my affairs>

c : to train and act as second for (a boxer)

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>

— han·dle·able \-d^əl-ə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of HANDLE

1. Handle the fruit carefully or it will bruise.
2. The baked potatoes were too hot to handle with our bare hands.
3. He knows how to handle a motorcycle.
4. He handles his motorcycle well.
5. She learned how to handle a weapon.
6. She handles all the bookkeeping.
7. The system is handled by the main computer.
8. She's proven that she can handle anything.
9. The airport handles both passenger and cargo flights.
10. She couldn't handle being away from her children for more than a couple of days.

First Known Use of HANDLE

before 12th century

Related to HANDLE

Synonyms

address, contend (with), cope (with), field, grapple (with), hack, manage, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, play, swing, take, treat, come to grips with, have a grip on

Related Words

engineer, finesse, jockey; bring off, carry off, carry out, get off, pull; command, direct, guide, steer; control, micromanage, regulate, run; react (to), respond (to)

Near Antonyms

botch, bungle, foozle, fumble, goof (up), louse up, mess (up), mishandle, muff, scamp