handy

Handy is an English adjective meaning convenient or useful, especially when something is easy to use or readily available. Objects, devices, or arrangements described as handy are designed to save time or effort and to be within easy reach. The term is derived from the noun hand, with the -y suffix, conveying a sense of being close at hand or practical to use.

Usage notes: In contemporary English, handy typically refers to practical convenience in everyday situations—for example, a pocket tool that is handy for quick repairs or a calendar app with handy features. It is common in British English and widely understood in American English, though speakers may opt for “convenient” or “useful” in more formal contexts.

Regional note: In German-speaking countries, Handy is the common word for a mobile phone, derived from the German word for hand; this has no relation to the English adjective and can cause confusion in multilingual contexts.

Related terms and usage: Handy is often paired with nouns describing tools and devices, as in “handy tool,” “handy gadget,” or “handy tip.” The informal expression “handy-dandy” emphasizes usefulness, though it is casual. The word also appears in historical or regional phrases such as “handyman,” referring to a person skilled at basic repairs, though “handyman” is the standard modern term.

See also: convenient, useful, utilitarian, on hand.