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

As someone who uses a lot of different phones, this all sounds handy. — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026

That quickly comes in handy when Clancy, a sadistic guard, tells the inmates they’re being shipped to the infamous sanitarium Saint Mabyn’s. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Perry High School junior Jamar Jones said the closet came in handy when he was asked to homecoming. — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Beyond the personalized attention, the new gadget also comes handy as an intercom, helping to communicate with people in the other rooms of the house, much like an Intercom channel. — Muskanbhatia, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 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