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

This particular model also has a flashlight, which comes in handy in the most unexpected places, like walking back to your safari vehicle after an evening bush dinner. — Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026

The brass and woodwinds part of the band band’s lineup comes in handy as the group also takes on hit-laden Chicago’s jazz/pop/rock catalog as well. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026

After walking, Samsung charted my speed and heart rate together for a handy visual reference showing how the two relate. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

His first response is to squelch his mutation, much like Bruce Banner keeps the Hulk in check with a handy inhibitor. — ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 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