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

• bind
• chain
• irons
• bond
• shackle
• curb

Verb

• bind
• tie
• hamper
• shackle

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

After firing a second less-lethal round, officers approached Bahrami, kicked away the blade and placed him in handcuffs. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 July 2025

When investigators went to the southwest Florida home to execute a search warrant, Flores walked outside and was placed in handcuffs, according to a video shared by the sheriff’s office. —Olivia Lloyd july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025

Verb

Police handcuffed and arrested the man a few blocks away and recovered a BB gun. —Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025

Stone was handcuffed and held by federal agents for eight hours, according to her family. —Joey Safchik, NBC news, 10 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1649, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for handcuff

• dyestuff
• enough
• foodstuff
• rebuff
• tartuffe
• buff
• cuff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff

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