Word
handshake
Phoneticshand·shake, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhændˌʃeɪk/
UK/hˈændʃeɪk/
Definitions
01greeting or agreement
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the act of two people holding and shaking each other's hands to say hello, goodbye, or to show they agree.
n. the act of grasping and shaking hands by two individuals as a gesture of greeting, farewell, or the formalisation of an agreement.
“The two leaders ended the meeting with a firm handshake for the cameras.”
“After hours of intense negotiation, the deal was finally sealed with a handshake, signifying mutual trust before the legal documents were drafted.”
Synonyms
02computing connection
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Technical
n. the way two computers or devices start a connection by sending signals to each other.
n. an automated exchange of signals between two devices or systems to establish a communication protocol and ensure synchronisation.
“The connection failed because the two devices couldn't complete the initial handshake.”
“The three-way handshake is a fundamental process in TCP/IP networking that ensures both the client and server are ready to transmit data.”
Synonyms
Etymology
From hand + shake. See the appendix for the history of the gesture itself.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. golden handshake
02. green handshake
Domain
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/handshake