hand 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈhand How to pronounce hand (audio)
Definition of handnext
1
as in side
a certain way in which something appears or may be regarded on the one hand, you would have more storage space in a larger house, but on the other, you would have more rooms to heat

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2
as in flank
a place, space, or direction away from or beyond a central point or line tall buildings rose on either hand nothing but wide open space on either hand

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3
as in needle
an arrow-shaped piece on a dial or scale for registering information both hands of the clock pointed to 12

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4
as in employee
one who works for another for wages or a salary the restaurant always hires several more hands for the busy summer season

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5
as in handwriting
the form or style of a particular person's writing writes with a flowing, old-fashioned hand

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6
as in control
usually hands plural the ability to direct the course of something the final decision is in your hands

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7
as in possession
hands plural the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal I'd like to get my hands on that vintage Cadillac convertible

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8
as in assistance
an act or instance of helping the downstairs tenant gave us a hand getting the heavy dresser up the stairs

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9
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field once she got her own place, the young woman showed that she was quite a hand at interior decoration

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10
as in signature
a person's name written in their own handwriting often given to indicate awareness or consent the subpoena required a lawyer's hand

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hand

2 of 4

verb (1)

1
as in to provide
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook

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2
as in to pass
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another the clerk handed her the receipt

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3
as in to leave
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another handed me her bundles while she fished for her house keys

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hands

3 of 4

noun (2)

plural of hand
1
as in grasp
the ability to direct the course of something the final decision is in your hands

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2
as in enjoyment
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal I'd like to get my hands on that vintage Cadillac convertible

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hands

4 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of hand
1
as in provides
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passes
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another the clerk handed her the receipt

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3
as in leaves
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another handed me her bundles while she fished for her house keys

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hand
Noun
Before birth, genes guide how the hands grow, acting like a biological blueprint during development. — Steven Lautzenheiser, The Conversation, 6 July 2026 For a decision-maker watching agent pilots multiply across departments, this is where cost, access and audit either get governed or get out of hand. — Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Verb
There has been significant speculation that Weiss will be handed similar oversight of operations at CNN. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 July 2026 However, the video assistant referee (VAR) flagged a foul in the buildup and waved the goal off, stripping the Egyptians of a commanding two-goal advantage and handing the world champions a massive reprieve. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Noun
Rinse the blueberries under cold running water, gently swishing them around with your hands to ensure all the berries are exposed to water. — Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026 While committing the robberies Fleming drew a gun, and wore all black covering his face with a ski mask and goggles, and his hands with gloves, authorities said. — Mary Ella Hastings july 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
Verb
Imagine sinking deep into a warm, leather couch as someone hands you a hazelnut latte in a Brooklyn coffee-shop-cum-listening lounge. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 June 2026 Suffering from a broken rib and sinus infection, Remco Evenepoel hands his bidon to a child on the roadside and dismounts his bike. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand
  1. side
  2. needle
  3. employee
  4. handwriting
  5. control
  6. possession
  7. assistance
  8. expert
Noun
  • Saleh viewed her new side project as a way to earn extra money for piano lessons for her 11-year-old son Linus, who is an entrepreneur like his mother.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • But the obvious choice here is Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral in the round of 32, bending a shot from the left side into the upper-right corner to tie mighty Argentina 2-2 in extra time.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of side
Noun
  • How an audience discovers that needle in the haystack requires research rigor requiring access to a multiplicity of data streams.
    — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.
    — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
Definition of needle
Noun
  • Many crew members are hired through third-party agencies with varying practices, and actual earnings can vary depending on the cruise line, the individual employee's experience level and other factors.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Diaz’s attorney says that man was Oscar Villafranca, another employee of the taco stand.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of employee
Noun
  • There was little or no organization among them, and some were scrawled in barely decipherable handwriting.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
  • George Hodel’s handwriting also resembled that on notes sent by the killer to law enforcement.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 June 2026
Definition of handwriting
Noun
  • Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • With Australia closing in on a winner in regulation with its young attack, Egypt settled in over the final 20 minutes or so to regain control of possession and find the more consistent threats on goal.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026
Definition of control
Noun
  • Mogbo grabbed the rebound, setting up Sacramento’s final possession.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • The score might not suggest dominance, but Colombia controlled the game from the outset and held possession for nearly two-thirds of the match.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Definition of possession
Noun
  • Despite government assurances, humanitarian groups warn that the scale of assistance still falls short of the need.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • For instance, in addition to covering repairs, Endurance plans come with perks like 24/7 roadside assistance, windshield repair, fob replacement and rental car reimbursement.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • But this should be guided and individualized by the right expert in terms of counseling and determining both the risks and benefits of sports based on the cardiac diagnosis and type of sport engaged in by the athlete.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • Sandy Baum, an expert in education finance with the Urban Institute, said the new loan limits are unreasonably low, but uncapped borrowing was a real problem and some restrictions are necessary.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of expert

Phrases Containing hand

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hamstrung
hand
handbag
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Cite this Entry

“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hand

Nglish: Translation of hand for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hand

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