handcuff

1 of 2

noun

hand·​cuff ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 

: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening

—usually used in plural

handcuff

2 of 2

verb

handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs

transitive verb

1

: to apply handcuffs to : manacle

2

: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless

handcuffed by strict regulations

Synonyms

Noun

• band
• bind
• bond
• bracelet
• chain
• cuff(s)
• fetter
• irons
• ligature
• manacle(s)
• shackle

Verb

• bind
• chain
• enchain
• enfetter
• fetter
• gyve
• manacle
• pinion
• shackle
• trammel

Examples of handcuff in a Sentence

Noun

the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs

Verb

wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father

the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Video from The Cut showed police putting one Chalamet look-alike in handcuffs. —Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024

One lookalike appeared to be arrested and dragged out in handcuffs. —Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 27 Oct. 2024

Verb

Neither brother was arrested at the time of the incident, but Williams was briefly handcuffed and detained. —Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 30 Oct. 2024

After McAlpin was handcuffed, he could be heard making a series of noises. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1649, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

handcuff

noun

hand·​cuff

ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf

: a metal fastening locking around a wrist and usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening

—usually used in plural

handcuff verb