handy meaning

handy means 'useful or easy to use'.

handy :

useful, convenient

adjective

▪ This tool is very handy.

▪ This tool is very useful.

▪ Keep a map handy when traveling.

▪ Keep a map easy to reach when traveling.

paraphrasing

▪ accessible – easy to reach

▪ practical – useful

▪ convenient – easy to use

▪ available – ready to use

handy

Pronunciation

handy [ˈhændi]

The stress is on 'han' and sounds like 'han-dee'.

Common phrases and grammar about handy

handy - Common meaning

adjective
useful, convenient

Part of Speech Changes for "handy"

▪ handiness (noun) – the quality of being useful or easy to use

▪ handily (adverb) – in a useful or easy manner

Common Expressions with "handy"

▪ keep handy – to keep something easy to reach

▪ come in handy – to be useful when needed

▪ handy tool – a useful tool

▪ handy tips – useful advice

Important examples of handy in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC vocabulary questions, handy is often used to describe tools or items that are easy to use.

▪This gadget is handy for fixing things quickly.
▪This gadget is useful for fixing things quickly.

Example of a confusing word: hefty (heavy or substantial)

▪This gadget is hefty for fixing things quickly.
▪This gadget is heavy for fixing things quickly.
"Handy" means "easy to use" or "convenient," making it a suitable choice when describing something that facilitates quick fixes. "Hefty," however, means "heavy" or "substantial," which does not logically fit in the context of a gadget being easy or convenient to use. The sentence "This gadget is hefty for fixing things quickly" is grammatically correct but semantically incorrect, as it implies the gadget's weight is advantageous for quick fixes, which is illogical. Thus, "handy" is the correct choice.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

Handy is used as an adjective, often modifying nouns like tool or item, in TOEIC grammar questions.

▪A handy guide is available online.
▪A useful guide is available online.

handy

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

come in handy

'be useful', used when something proves to be helpful.

▪This tool will come in handy during repairs.
▪This tool will be useful during repairs.

keep something handy

'keep something easy to reach', used for items you may need quickly.

▪Keep your phone handy for emergencies.
▪Keep your phone easy to reach for emergencies.

Differences between similar words and handy

handy

,

convenient

differences

Handy means useful or easy to use, while convenient often refers to being easy to access or not causing trouble.

handy
▪This tool is handy for quick fixes.
▪This tool is useful for quick fixes.
convenient
▪The store is conveniently located near my house.
▪The store is in an easy-to-reach place near my house.

Handy means useful or easy to use, while accessible means easy to reach or enter.

handy
▪This app is handy for learning languages.
▪The building is easy to enter for everyone.
▪The building is accessible to everyone.
▪The building is easy to enter for everyone.

Words with the same origin as handy

The origin of handy

The word 'handy' comes from the word 'hand', suggesting something easy to handle or use.

Word structure

The analysis of the word's composition is unclear.

Words with the same origin

The word's root is unclear or difficult to confirm.

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