English Dictionary
Definition of “handle”
handle (ˈhændəll
)
Definitions
noun
- the part of a utensil, drawer, etc, designed to be held in order to move, use, or pick up the object
- New Zealand a glass beer mug with a handle
- slang a person's name or title
- a CB radio slang name for call sign
- an opportunity, reason, or excuse for doing something ⇒
his background served as a handle for their mockery
- the quality, as of textiles, perceived by touching or feeling
- the total amount of a bet on a horse race or similar event
- See fly off the handle
verb (mainly tr)
- to pick up and hold, move, or touch with the hands
- to operate or employ using the hands ⇒
the boy handled the reins well
- to have power or control over ⇒
my wife handles my investments
- to manage successfully ⇒
a secretary must be able to handle clients
- to discuss (a theme, subject, etc)
- to deal with or treat in a specified way ⇒
I was handled with great tact
- to trade or deal in (specified merchandise)
- (intr) to react or respond in a specified way to operation or control ⇒
the car handles well on bends
Alternative Forms
ˈhandleable adjective ˈhandled adjective ˈhandleless adjective Word Origin
Old English; related to Old Saxon handlon (vb), Old High German hantilla towel
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
control,
manage,
direct,
operate,
guide,
use,
steer,
manipulate,
manoeuvre,
wield,
=
hold,
feel,
touch,
pick up,
finger,
grasp,
poke,
paw,
maul,
fondle,
Translations
- British English:
handle
A handle is the part of something, for example a tool or a bag, that you use to hold it.Hold the knife by its handle.ˈhændl NOUN Hold the knife by its handle.
- Spanish:
asa
nf
- French:
poignée
nf
- German:
Griff
nm
- Chinese: 手柄 n
- Arabic: مِقْبَض n
- Portuguese: pega nf
- Russian: ручка nf
- Croatian: drška nf
- Czech: rukojeť nf
- Danish: håndtag nnt
- Dutch: hendel nm
- Finnish: kädensija n
- Greek: χειρολαβή nf
- Italian: maniglia nf
- Japanese: ハンドル n
- Korean: 손잡이 n
- Norwegian: håndtak nnt
- Polish: uchwyt nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: cabo nm
- European Spanish:
asa
nf
- Swedish: handtag nnt
- Thai: ด้าม n
- Turkish: kol n
- Vietnamese: cái tay cầm n
- British English:
handle
If you handle a situation, you deal with it.I don't know if I can handle the job.ˈhændl VERB I don't know if I can handle the job.
- Spanish:
manejar
v
- French:
manier
vt
- German:
handhaben
v
- Chinese: 处理 v
- Arabic: يُعَالِجُ vt
- Portuguese: manusear v
- Russian: управлять v
- Croatian: rukovati v
- Czech: zacházet v
- Danish: håndtere v
- Dutch: hanteren v
- Finnish: käsitellä v
- Greek: χειρίζομαι v
- Italian: occuparsi v
- Japanese: 取り扱う v
- Korean: 다루다 v
- Norwegian: håndtere v
- Polish: posłużyć się v posługiwać się
- Brazilian Portuguese: enfrentar vt
- European Spanish:
manejar
v
- Swedish: hantera v
- Thai: จัดการ v
- Turkish: elle yapmak v
- Vietnamese: điều khiển v
- British English:
handle
A handle is something that is joined to a door, a window, or a drawer, that you use to open and close it.She pulled the handle of the drawer.ˈhændl NOUN She pulled the handle of the drawer.
- French:
poignée
nf
- Arabic: مِقْبَض n
- Brazilian Portuguese: puxador nm
Usage examples
I've found a man in his wife's clothing throttled by gardening twine passed through the handle of the kitchen drawer.
Robert Wilson, INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS (2002)A full year of undergraduate classes on the animation process ensures the staff will be prepared to handle each marathon four-year project.
Maxim (2005)Mr Glennon says new staff lack the experience, training and authority to handle problems.
Irish Times (2002)A. The company had been recruiting in Orkney since 1702 because Orcadians were renowned as tough men who could handle boats.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Monkeys will be able to handle their business without too many problems this year.
Rocky Siu-Kwong Sung, ROCKY SUNG'S GUIDE TO CHINESE ASTROLOGY AND FENG SHUI 2003 (2002)
