Pronunciation

/ˈhændi/

Definitions

• Adjective: Conveniently near or easily available; useful for a particular purpose. For example: “A pocket knife is always handy to have when camping.”
• Noun (informal): A person skilled in a variety of tasks, especially manual work. For example: “He’s quite the handyman; he can fix just about anything around the house.”

Phrases

• “To be handy with something”: To be skilled or proficient in using or handling something. For example: “She’s very handy with a needle and thread.”
• “Keep something handy”: To have something close by and ready for use when needed. For example: “I always keep a first aid kit handy in case of emergencies.”

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “Having a smartphone is really handy when you need to look up directions quickly.”
• Noun: “The neighbor came over, and being so handy, he helped us install the new kitchen cabinets.”

Synonyms

• Convenient
• Useful
• Practical
• Readily available
• Skilled
• Resourceful (when referring to a person)
• Versatile (when referring to a person)