Handy

Pronunciation

• enPR: hăn'di, IPA: /ˈhæn.di/
• Rhymes: -ændi

Origin

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 𐌷𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌿𐌲𐍃 (handugs, "wise, clever").

Full definition of handy

Adjective

1. Easy to use, useful.Some people regard duct tape as a handy fix-all.
2. Nearby, within reach.You wouldn’t have a screwdriver handy, would you?
3. (dialect) dexterous, skilfulShe's very handy - she made all her own kitchen cupboards.

Synonyms

• (useful)
• (nearby) at hand
• (skilful) crafty