handy

Noun · Adjective
US[han-dee]/ˈhændi/2 syllables

Open English WordNet

Adjective (3)handier, handiest

  1. easy to reach“found a handy spot for the can opener”Synonyms: ready to handOpposite inaccessibleSimilar accessible
  2. useful and convenient“a handy gadget”Opposite uselessSimilar useful, utile
  3. skillful with the hands“handy with an axe”Opposite maladroitSimilar adroit

Noun (1)

  1. United States blues musician who transcribed and published traditional blues music (1873-1958)Synonyms: W. C. HandyWilliam Christopher HandyInstance of composer
Word of the day · Sep 29About this word
haphazardadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

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Translations

Adjective within reach

Spanish
a mano
Portuguese
à mão
Portuguese (PT)
à mão
Czech
po ruce

Adjective easy to use

Spanish
práctico
French
pratique
German
praktisch
Italian
pratico
Portuguese
prático
Russian
практи́чный praktíčnyj
Dutch
handig
Polish
wygodny
Vietnamese
tiện dụng
6 more languages
Portuguese (PT)
prático
Catalan
pràctic
Finnish
kätevä
Scottish Gaelic
goireasach

The main translation for each meaning, from the langtolang.com multilingual dictionary. Each word links to its full entry there.

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Hand′y (hănd′y̆), adjective [Compar. Handier (-ĭ·ẽr); superlative Handiest.]

Origin: OE. hendi, AS. hendig (in comp.), fr. hand hand; akin to D. handig, Goth. handugs clever, wise.

1. Performed by the hand. obsolete

To draw up and come to handy strokes.— John Milton

2. Skillful in using the hand; dexterous; ready; adroit. “Each is handy in his way.” John Dryden

3. Ready to the hand; near; also, suited to the use of the hand; convenient; valuable for reference or use; as, my tools are handy; a handy volume.

4. Nautical Easily managed; obedient to the helm; — said of a vessel.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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