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

Invoking a type of person via an AI persona can be quite handy. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster Toasters are handy kitchen appliances, but so many of them are incredibly bulky, taking up more than their fair share of counter space. —Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026

Think of it as your eczema fire extinguisher (not an everyday moisturizer) that comes in handy when skin’s feeling extremely uncomfortable. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 20 Jan. 2026

Soyok Portable Luggage Scale I’d rather know ahead of time if my luggage is overweight, which is why this digital luggage scale is so handy when traveling abroad, where airport baggage rules and size requirements vary. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 19 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