handyman

noun

handy·​man ˈhan-dē-ˌman How to pronounce handyman (audio)
1
: a person who does odd jobs
2
: one competent in a variety of small skills or inventive or ingenious in repair or maintenance work

called also handyperson

Examples of handyman in a Sentence

hired a handyman to paint the porch, clean the gutters, and replace the broken window
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Among them are José Arroyo, a disabled former master technician, Corrine Griffith, a disabled woman who suffers from multiple personality disorder and epilepsy and Michael Austin, a homeless handyman who lives in a tent with a spring mattress to help his arthritic back. Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025 Michael Clark, a handyman who works on Bourbon Street, said his friends and co-workers felt traumatized by the attack. Kate Selig, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025 In one case, a handyman was punished for letting a homeowner pay him to install a camera system purchased from a Sam’s Club. Andrew Wimer, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 Minton, a handyman, rigged up batteries so that Connell could still straighten her hair every day. Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handyman

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handyman was in 1742

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handyman. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

handyman

noun
handy·​man -ˌman How to pronounce handyman (audio)
: a person who does various small jobs

More from Merriam-Webster on handyman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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