handle

HAN-dl/ˈhæn.dl̩/

Verbhandles, handling, handled

Noun pluralhandles

26 meanings of handle

Practice

1
overseeverbtransitive
To be in charge of a job, task, or group and keep it working.
Like a driver keeping a car safely on the road.
She can handle a large team without getting stressed.
He handles the money for the whole club.
Similarmanage, run, oversee, administer, direct
2
verbtransitive
To deal with someone or something in a certain way.
The teacher handled the upset child gently.
You should handle fragile items with care.
UsageYou handle a problem, but you deal with a problem.
Similartreat, tackle, approach
Note
3
part to holdnouncountable
The part of a tool or object that you hold in your hand.
Like the part of a cup you hold so your fingers stay away from the hot drink.
The handle of the knife was wrapped in tape.
She gripped the bucket by its handle and carried it inside.
UsageYou hold something by the handle.
Similargrip, haft
Note
4
verbtransitive
To be able to deal with something hard without giving up.
She can handle a lot of pressure at work.
He handled the bad news better than anyone expected.
UsageOften with can or can't: I can't handle it.
Similarwithstand, take, bear, endure, stand
Note
5
use by handverbtransitive
To use or move something with your hands, often with skill.
Workers must handle the glass sheets carefully.
She handled the heavy tools with ease.
UsageOften with a word like carefully: handle the glass carefully.
Note
6
verbintransitive
To act in a certain way when someone drives, steers, or controls it.
Like how a bike feels easy or hard to steer.
Sports cars handle better at high speeds.
The old truck handles awkwardly on tight corners.
UsageThe car is the subject: the car handles well or handles badly.
Similarsteer, respond, behave
Note
7
verbtransitive
To touch or hold something with your hands.
Please don't handle the fruit before buying it.
She handled the soft fabric to check its quality.
UsageYou see it on signs: handle with care, do not handle.
Similartouch, feel, finger, hold
Note
8
graspnouncolloquialcountable
A clear idea of something, or a way to control it, used with "on".
I need to get a handle on my homework before the test.
She finally has a handle on how her new phone works.
UsageUsually get a handle on something: understand it or get it under control.
Similargrasp, grip, understanding
Note
9
online namenounslangcountable
A name or nickname someone uses online or on the radio.
Like a nickname your friends use, but for the internet.
Her handle on the gaming site is QuickFox.
Pick a handle that is easy for people to remember.
UsageYour handle on a site; online it often comes after @.
Similarnickname, username, alias, moniker, pseudonym
10
trade inverbtransitive
To buy and sell goods, or move them from place to place.
Our little shop doesn't handle that brand of shoes.
The warehouse handles thousands of parcels each day.
Similarsell, stock, carry, market, trade
11
cover a topicverbtransitive
To talk about or show a subject in writing, speech, or art.
Good documentaries handle difficult subjects fairly.
The novel handles love and loss with great subtlety.
Similaraddress, tackle, explore, discuss, cover

Less common meanings

12
leveragenouncountable
A tool, chance, or reason you can use to get something done.
Like finding the right key to open a locked door.
His careless email gave the opposition a handle for attack.
Don't give your critics a handle by losing your temper.
UsageTo give someone a handle is to give them a reason to attack you.
Similarpretext, lever, excuse, opening
Note
13
liquor bottlenounUScountable
A big bottle of alcohol that holds about 1.75 liters.
They bought a handle of vodka for the party.
One handle was enough to last the whole evening.
UsageUsually a handle of vodka or whiskey.
Note
14
verbintransitive
To touch the ball with your hand or arm against the rules in soccer.
The defender handled inside the box and gave away a penalty.
If you handle in your own area, expect a penalty kick.
UsageNo object is needed: the player handled.
Note
15
tame (animals)verbraretransitive
To get an animal used to being touched, and to care for it by hand.
Like petting a kitten every day so it stops being scared of people.
Good breeders handle their foals daily from birth.
The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to house and handle their colts for at least six months every year.
1679, William Temple, An essay upon the advancement of trade in Ireland.Here, handle means to get colts used to being touched and care for them.
Note
16
titlenounslangcountable
A slang word for a title that goes before someone's name, like Doctor or Colonel.
Like a name tag that puts 'Doctor' in front of your real name.
After the army, he was proud of the handle 'Major' before his name.
Once she earned her PhD, she finally had a handle to her name.
UsageUsually a handle to your name: a title like Doctor before it.
Similartitle, honorific
Note
17
nosenounslangcountable
A slang word for a person's nose.
Similarnose, beak, conk, hooter
Note
18
code referencenouncountable
A name or number that lets a program find and use a piece of data.
Like a ticket number that lets you pick up your bag later: the number isn't the bag, but it finds it for you.
The program stores a handle so it can find the open file later.
Each handle points to a piece of data in memory.
Similarreference
Note
19
betting totalnouncountable
All the money people bet on an event or over a period of time, added together.
Like adding up every ticket sold, not the money the seller keeps.
The casino's handle for the weekend topped two million dollars.
A big fight always boosts the sportsbook's handle.
Note
20
verbraretransitive
To deal with a subject, or to be skilled and knowledgeable in it.
They that handle the law knew me not
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, handle means to deal with or be expert in the law.
Note
21
fabric feelnouncountable or uncountable
The way a fabric feels when you touch it: soft, firm, stretchy, smooth, and so on.
Like how a blanket feels (soft or scratchy) when you run your hand over it.
This wool has a soft, warm handle.
Buyers check the handle of the cloth before placing an order.
Similarfeel, hand, texture
Note
22
beer mugnouncolloquialUKcountable
A dimpled beer glass that has a grip on the side, used for serving a pint.
Like a thick beer mug with a loop to grip.
He ordered a pint and the barman pulled it into a handle.
She liked drinking her bitter from a heavy glass handle.
Similarmug, tankard
Note
23
nounAustraliaNew Zealandcountable
A small glass of beer holding about 10 fluid ounces, or 285 milliliters.
Like a medium drink: a set size you can order by name.
He ordered a handle of beer at the bar.
On a hot day she got through three handles before lunch.
Similarmiddy, pot
Note
24
point of landnounrareNewfoundland and Labradorcountable
A piece of land that sticks out, like a point reaching into the sea.
Similarpoint, headland, promontory, spit
Note
25
noun
A ball-like shape in geometry that is thought of as two simpler round pieces combined.
26
noun
In advanced math, the main smooth curve of a comb-shaped figure that each other piece touches at one point.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of handle apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 3, 8–9, 12–13, 16–19, 21–24

From Old English handle, meaning "a handle."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

The noun handle derives from Old English handle, meaning a handle. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 1–2, 4–7, 10–11, 14–15, 20

From Old English handlian, meaning "to handle, feel, or deal with." It comes from the word hand.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The verb handle derives from Old English handlian. en.wiktionary.org
Old English handlian meant to handle, feel, or deal with. en.wiktionary.org
The word derives from hand. en.wiktionary.org