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Definitions

handy

[han-dee] / ˈhæn di /
ADJECTIVE
nearby
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accessible available close-by convenient
STRONG
close ready
WEAK
adjacent at hand close-at-hand near near-at-hand on hand within reach
Antonyms
STRONGEST
unavailable unhandy
WEAK
faraway inconvenient
ADJECTIVE
easy to use
Synonyms
STRONGEST
available convenient helpful manageable neat practicable practical profitable useful
STRONG
central ready
WEAK
adaptable advantageous beneficial functional gainful serviceable utile wieldy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disadvantageous impossible unavailable unhandy unworkable useless worthless
WEAK
awkward bumbling bungling clumsy hard inconvenient inconveniently inept
ADJECTIVE
adept physically
Synonyms
STRONG
expert fit ready
WEAK
able adroit clever deft dexterous ingenious nimble proficient skilled skillful
Antonyms
STRONG
unskilled unsuitable untrained
WEAK
awkward bumbling bungling clumsy faraway hard inconvenient inconveniently inept unhandy useless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Those are the types of stocks that could come in handy right now, since so many across the market are running out of steam after seeing major rallies.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

McCardel’s consulting experience came in handy as he worked with clients to understand their business model and build relationships.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Those weapons would have come in handy now to affordably take down cheap drones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

A fair share of nasty feedback lands in my mailbox, so I wondered if the auto-response tool could come in handy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

The male members of the van Daan contingent have built a very handy wood-stained food safe, with real screens.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Vocabulary lists containing handy

Words from the 4th of July Songbook

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Father's Day Words

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-y

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