hand-to-hand

1 of 2

adjective

ˈhan(d)-tə-ˈhand 

ˈhan-də-

: involving physical contact or close enough range for physical contact

hand-to-hand fighting

hand to hand

2 of 2

adverb

: at very close range

Examples of hand-to-hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Most of the skeletons found in Stirling’s chapel had the sorts of wounds archaeologists expected to find on siege victims, like sword cuts, blunt trauma, and the wear and tear of hand-to-hand combat. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Sep. 2026

Hugo Weaving’s Frank Harkness, the nefarious birth father of agent River Cartwright (Jack Lowdon), also makes an appearance, and the trailer previews plenty of explosions, shootouts and even hand-to-hand combat. — Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Skills passed hand to hand for generations are now finding new practitioners through short videos on a phone screen, with TikTok and Instagram giving old-fashioned kitchen work a fresh identity. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

By flipping the base color and design color from hand to hand, this classic color combo feels super fresh. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hand-to-hand

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

hand-to-hand

adjective

ˌhan-tə-ˈhand

: involving physical contact

hand-to-hand combat