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

Examples of handy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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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 See All Example Sentences for handy

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of handy was circa 1525

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handy. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

handy

adjective
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 How to pronounce Handy (audio)
W(illiam) C(hristopher) 1873–1958 American blues musician

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