handy Hear it!

handy Definition

handy (han)

adjective handi·er, handi·est

  1. close at hand; easily reached; conveniently located; accessible
  2. easily used; saving time or work; convenient a handy device
  3. easily managed or handled: said of a ship, etc.
  4. clever with the hands; deft; adroit

Etymology: hand + -y

Handy Definition

Handy (han)

Handy, W(illiam) C(hristopher) 1873-1958; U.S. composer of “St. Louis Blues” & other popular songs

handy Synonyms

handy

modif.

  1. Near

    nearby, at hand, close by; see convenient 2, near 1.

  2. Useful

    beneficial, advantageous, gainful; see helpful 1, profitable, usable.

  3. Dexterous

    dexterous, apt, skillful, ingenious; see able 1, 2, fit 1, 2, dexterous. See syn. study at dexterous.

come in handy

prove useful, be of service, have a use, aid; see help 1.

handy Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • keep: Keep rock salt handy to put on external paths in cold weather.

Modifies a noun

  • hint: Here are some handy hints on how to keep on the right track.
  • tip: Here are 66 handy tips on how to save money.
  • checklist: More What to take Provides a handy kit checklist along with tips about what to wear.
  • pouch: There is even a handy pouch to carry accessories, such as your clicker.
  • utility: This handy little utility ensures that you always run certain programs every session.
  • pocket: There is a handy pocket on the tail of the sling which fastens with a zip.

Modifying Another Word

  • pretty: The fact that Kian is a warrior means he'll be pretty handy in a fight.
  • very: Pros: Very handy for the terminal, not far to walk at all.
  • especially: These rules come in especially handy for writing very large or very small numbers.
  • quite: I thought, ' This is quite handy, really ' .
  • extremely: For someone with a bad ankle, tho, a stick can be extremely handy, and Julian very generously let me borrow it.
  • incredibly: Tips for Effect Brushes The Effect Tool in Corel PHOTO-PAINT can be incredibly handy if you're an experienced user.

Infinitive complement

  • know: Plus I've learned how to use an RSS parser which is always handy to know!

Used with adjective complement

  • prove: Taking into account the quarter finals first leg results could prove handy once again for football single backers.
  • come: I reckon you ain't used to lying, it don't seem to come handy; what you want is practice.
  • keep: The booklet could be kept handy in case you need to make a report.

Preposition: in

  • case: I just keep a blade handy in case I run out of ink... .

Preposition: for

  • airport: Pros: Handy for the airport and easy to find.
  • emergency: Keep a flashlight handy for emergencies, do not use candles.