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

But keeping a pair of goggles handy? —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 24 Dec. 2025

Download your airline apps, keep all your booking information handy, check TSA guidelines and arrive at least two hours early. —Jessica Riley, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025

The Short Pearl Strap can be swapped in for the bag’s already-present one, adding an element of dainty sophistication to the vignette, or simply hung from end to end with its handy dogleash clips. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025

Also sometimes referred to as a top coat, which is primarily meant to add shine and an extra protective layer to your nails, it was not necessarily invented to be a handy household fixer—like, say, how Vaseline was. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing handy

• came in 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