Word
handgun
Phoneticshand·gun, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhændˌɡən/
UK/hˈændɡʌn/
Españolarma corta
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small gun that you can hold and fire with just one hand.
n. a firearm designed to be held and operated by a single hand, such as a pistol or revolver.
Examples
“The officer carried a handgun in a holster on his belt.”
“The local government introduced stricter laws regarding the storage and transport of a handgun within city limits.”
“While rifles are preferred for long-range accuracy, the handgun remains the primary choice for personal protection due to its compact size and ease of concealment.”
Examples
simple
“The officer carried a handgun in a holster on his belt.”
contextual
“The local government introduced stricter laws regarding the storage and transport of a handgun within city limits.”
complex
“While rifles are preferred for long-range accuracy, the handgun remains the primary choice for personal protection due to its compact size and ease of concealment.”
Real-World Examples
“After Duran repeatedly knocked on the door, Fortson answered while holding a handgun at his side with the weapon pointed toward the ground.” Etymology
From hand + gun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/handgun
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0