HANDY
What does "HANDY" mean?
Convenient to use, or skillful with one's hands.
Meanings
- Useful and convenient; ready at hand. A pocketknife is a handy thing to carry on a hike.
- Skilled at practical tasks, especially manual ones. She's handy with a wrench and fixed the leak in minutes.
- Close by; within easy reach. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen. informal
Word origin
From Middle English, from 'hand' (Old English 'hand') plus '-y'; the sense shifted from 'done by hand' to 'convenient, ready to hand'.
Remember it
HANDY is HAND plus Y - if it's near your hand and useful, it's handy.
A little poem
Not the prize they hang on walls,
but the tool that comes when something falls.
couplet
Wordplay
- My uncle calls himself handy. The repair list on the fridge says otherwise, and so does the fridge.
What it teaches
Useful and nearby beats brilliant and out of reach; be the tool that's actually in the room.
Quick facts
What does HANDY mean?
Convenient to use, or skillful with one's hands.
Is HANDY a valid word?
Yes — HANDY is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is HANDY?
HANDY has 5 letters and 2 syllables.
Where does HANDY come from?
From Middle English, from 'hand' (Old English 'hand') plus '-y'; the sense shifted from 'done by hand' to 'convenient, ready to hand'.
What can HANDY teach us?
Useful and nearby beats brilliant and out of reach; be the tool that's actually in the room.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.