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

If your children do homework at the kitchen table instead of their bedrooms, find a spot to keep school supplies handy. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026

The pants feature a high waistband and two handy side pockets that are big enough to fit your phone and keys. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

As most in Los Angeles County focused their attention on what was happening in the Palisades, over forty miles away, Heneghan had charged her camping lantern, headlamps, phones, and computers, all of which came in handy after McNally Avenue lost power. —Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026

The parallels were painful and frightening for many in the area, including Stephanie Abel, a 56-year-old Minneapolis nurse, who is keeping her gas tank full and cash handy in memory of the chaos that followed that slaying. —Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

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