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

Canada want to play a high defensive line, making Millar’s action the kind that could come in handy in the World Cup. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 17 June 2026

That background came in handy when he was asked to design a house for a young family on a coastal Mississippi site susceptible to severe flooding. —Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2026

One attachment adds heat with three temperature levels and up to 75 minutes of use at the hottest setting handy after a long workday or for general tension relief. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026

Keep a bucket handy for residual water. —Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 June 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