Handy definitions
The definition of handy is a useful or readily available person or thing, or a person who is skilled with using their hands.
An example of handy is standing on a chair to reach something high up, because it's close by; a handy chair.
An example of handy is a person who's able to fix anything; a handy man.
adjective
Easily or effectively used; convenient or useful.
A handy tool; a handy reference book.
adjective
Easy to manage or handle. Used of a ship.
adjective
Readily accessible or convenient in location.
Kept his cell phone handy; found a handy spot for the hammer.
adjective
Skillful in using one's hands; manually adroit.
adjective
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Close at hand; easily reached; conveniently located; accessible.
adjective
Easily used; saving time or work; convenient.
A handy device.
adjective
Easily managed or handled.
adjective
Clever with the hands; deft; adroit.
adjective
Capable of making simple repairs to a house, an automobile, electrical appliances, etc.
adjective
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1873-1958; U.S. composer of popular songs.
proper name
Origin of handy
From Middle English, alteration of earlier hendi (“handy, skillful”), from Old English hendiġ (“skillful”) (as in listhendiġ (“skilled in art”)), from Proto-Germanic *handugaz (“handy, skillful, nimble”), from *handuz (“hand”), equivalent to hand + -y. Cognate with Middle Low German handich (“skillful, apt”), Middle High German handec, hendec (“manual, hand-held”), Old Norse hǫndugr (“efficient”), Gothic (handugs, “wise, clever”).