handy

adjective

ˈhan-dē 

handier; handiest

1

a

: conveniently near

b

: convenient for use

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

• accessible
• convenient
• reachable

Examples of handy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Roughly 1,600 square feet includes just one bedroom—a primary suite with a faux living wall and access to a wraparound balcony—but the open-plan great room comes with a handy Murphy bed for guests. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025

Approach with caution, look at reviews, and maybe don’t use your main credit card (or at least keep your bank’s dispute line handy). —Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2025

This one has a handy pocket in the middle that actually fits my iPhone 14 Pro. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025

There are a wide variety of experimental SLMs, and some are very handy while others are clunky and less appealing. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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