hand ‧ y S3 /ˈhændi/ BrE AmE adjective ( comparative handier , superlative handiest )
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ hand , ↑ handful ; adjective : ↑ underhand , ↑ handy ; verb : ↑ hand ; adverb : ↑ handily ]
1 . useful:
It’s quite a handy little tool.
It’s very handy having a light above your desk.
Take your swimming trunks with you – they might come in handy (=be useful) .
2 . informal near and easy to reach:
I always keep my gun handy just in case.
Do you have a piece of paper handy?
handy for British English :
The house was in Drury Lane, very handy for the theatre.
3 . good at using something, especially a tool
handy with
He’s very handy with a screwdriver.
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THESAURUS
▪ useful something that is useful makes it easier for you to do something:
He gave me some useful advice.
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a useful thing to know
▪ handy informal useful – used especially about something that is convenient and easy to use:
a handy little booklet
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The book is full of handy hints.
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I always keep old jars – you never know when they might come in handy (=be useful) .
▪ helpful useful because it helps you to do something:
This drug can be helpful in treating depression.
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helpful advice
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helpful suggestions
▪ of use [not before noun] if someone or something is of use, they are useful for you when you are doing something:
I hope you’ll find the book of use.
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He wants to be of use.
▪ worthwhile if doing something is worthwhile, it is useful for you and you benefit from doing it:
The training was certainly worthwhile.
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a worthwhile experience
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It is worthwhile to start by asking ourselves why people get involved in crime.