handy
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.useful or convenient for a particular purpose.
adj.convenient or useful for a specific task or situation.
Simple“This little tool is very handy for opening tight jars.”
In context“The digital tablet proved incredibly handy during the conference, allowing the researcher to annotate documents while standing in the exhibition hall.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
adj.located close by or easy to reach.
adj.situated within easy reach or in a convenient location.
Simple“I always keep a flashlight handy in case the power goes out.”
In context“The apartment is perfectly situated with several grocery stores and a major transit hub handy for daily commuting.”
UsageOften used with the verb 'keep' or 'have'.
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.good at doing things with your hands, like fixing or building things.
adj.dexterous or skilful in manual work or repairs.
Simple“My brother is very handy and fixed my broken chair in ten minutes.”
In context“Being naturally handy, she spent her weekends restoring old furniture and installing custom shelving in her studio.”
UsageUsually describes a person.
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.a word for a mobile phone, used mostly by German speakers when speaking English.
n.a pseudo-anglicism used primarily by German speakers to refer to a mobile telephone.
Simple“He asked if I had seen his handy, but I told him we call it a phone.”
In context“The student, who was from Berlin, mistakenly used the term 'handy' during his presentation instead of 'mobile phone'.”
Teacher's tipThis is a classic 'false friend' for German learners; teachers should clarify that it is not used in the UK, US, or other English-speaking regions.
PitfallI forgot my handy at home. I forgot my phone at home.While 'Handy' is the standard word for a mobile phone in Germany, it is not used by native English speakers and will likely be misunderstood.
- 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a very informal and rude word for a sexual act using the hand.
n.a vulgar slang term for manual stimulation of the genitals.
Simple“The movie was full of crude jokes about handies.”
In context“The comedian's set relied heavily on vulgar references to handies, which alienated a large portion of the audience.”
Teacher's tipAdvise students that this is highly informal and potentially offensive; it should be avoided in all but the most casual or crude contexts.
Synonymshand job
“Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images Boots : an Advantage Card gets you 10% off thousands of products instore and online – handy for weekly toiletries and the odd emergency paracetamol run.”
“I’m not talking about a new water bottle and a backpack, though certainly those come in handy.”
Originating as a nickname for a handy person.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.