handy

adjective

ˈhan-dē 

handier; handiest

1

a

: conveniently near

b

: convenient for use

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

• convenient
• accessible

Examples of handy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also handy would be an ability to drive slow, short trips to recharge an electric car. —Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

Parker Puls | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Peach State’s diverse economy will come in handy should the national economy worsen. —Scott Cohn, CNBC, 12 July 2025

Amazon $100 Asus $110 Walmart $100 Best Buy A travel router is handy on the road or vacation, and the Asus RT-AX57 Go is our current top pick. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025

One of my biggest fears is forgetting to pack my earbuds after checking out of a hotel, which is why this foldable charging station is so handy. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025

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