handcuff

1 of 2

noun

hand·​cuff ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 

: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening

—usually used in plural

handcuff

2 of 2

verb

handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs

transitive verb

1

: to apply handcuffs to : manacle

2

: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless

handcuffed by strict regulations

Synonyms of handcuff

Noun

• bind
• chain
• bond
• irons
• shackle
• curb

Verb

• bind
• tie
• hamper
• shackle

Examples of handcuff in a Sentence

Noun

the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs

Verb

wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father

the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Police officers removed the handcuffs from the man’s wrist and notified ICE after a records check found no outstanding warrants on him, the agency said in a statement. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

This technique allowed officers to gain control of the man’s right arm and start to place him in handcuffs, Robinson said. — Alex Brizee july 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026

Verb

Prosecutors in Italy told CNN that two police officers and four first responders are under investigation for the involuntary manslaughter, of the 42-year-old man, who died after being handcuffed and restrained by officers. — CNN Money, 21 July 2026

And there are eyewitness accounts claiming that the ICE officer who shot Salgado was reaching through the open passenger window, shot him in the stomach, and then the officers pulled him out of the vehicle and tried to handcuff him. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1649, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for handcuff

• dyestuff
• enough
• foodstuff
• rebuff
• tartuffe
• buff
• cuff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff

Kids Definition

handcuff

noun

hand·​cuff

ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf

: a metal fastening locking around a wrist and usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening

—usually used in plural

handcuff verb