Handle - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Maybe your like

SKIP TO CONTENT handle /ˈhændl/ /ˈhændəl/ IPA guide

Other forms: handled; handles

To handle something is to control it, the way an elephant handler might handle an elephant, or the way you would use a handle to lift a suitcase. If you're panicking, a friend might suggest you "get a handle on yourself."

How to get a handle on the word handle? Start with the thumb. Much like the word “thimble” is derived from “thumb,” “handle” essentially refers to an object held "in hand," or placed under your control. Handle can also have a more abstract meaning, such as understanding or grasping a concept. You should be able to handle geometry before you start trig, right? A handle is also slang for a nickname. "What's your handle?" is another way of saying "What's your name?"

Definitions of handle

verb touch, lift, or hold with the hands “Don't handle the merchandise” synonyms: palm see moresee less types: show 14 types... hide 14 types... field catch or pick up (balls) in baseball or cricket fumble handle clumsily manipulate hold something in one's hands and move it manhandle handle roughly lay hands on manage with the hands mouse manipulate the mouse of a computer fiddle with, twiddle manipulate, as in a nervous or unconscious manner manage, wield handle effectively control, operate handle and cause to function knead, massage, rub down manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes knead, work make uniform mix, ruffle, shuffle mix so as to make a random order or arrangement fiddle, monkey, tamper play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly diddle, fiddle, play, toy manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination type of: touch make physical contact with, come in contact with
verb manage or wield effectively synonyms: manage, wield see moresee less types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... ply wield vigorously pump operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal sweep, swing, swing out make a big sweeping gesture or movement goose give a spurt of fuel to type of: manipulate hold something in one's hands and move it
verb be in charge of, act on, or dispose of “This blender can't handle nuts” synonyms: care, deal, manage see moresee less types: show 29 types... hide 29 types... administer, administrate work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of organise, organize cause to be structured or ordered or operating according to some principle or idea work cause to operate or function come to grips, get to grips deal with (a problem or a subject) dispose of deal with or settle mind, take care be in charge of or deal with coordinate bring into common action, movement, or condition juggle deal with simultaneously process deal with in a routine way misconduct, mishandle, mismanage manage badly or incompetently direct be in charge of carry on, conduct, deal direct the course of; manage or control touch deal with; usually used with a form of negation curate organize and oversee items in a collection or exhibit finesse plan, manage, or direct with subtle and skillful maneuvering arrange, order, put, set up arrange thoughts, ideas, or temporal events give, have, hold, make, throw organize or be responsible for rationalise, rationalize structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results pontificate administer a pontifical office territorialise, territorialize organize as a territory reorganise, reorganize, shake up organize anew collectivise, collectivize bring under collective control; of farms and industrial enterprises tend manage or run guide, steer be a guiding or motivating force or drive head, lead be in charge of manage, oversee, superintend, supervise watch and direct operate, run direct or control; projects, businesses, etc. racketeer carry on illegal business activities involving crime administer direct the taking of type of: command, control exercise authoritative control or power over
verb interact in a certain way “Handle the press reporters gently” synonyms: do by, treat treat regard or consider in a specific way address, cover, deal, plow, treat act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression see moresee less types: show 22 types... hide 22 types... bemock, mock treat with contempt cut, disregard, ignore, snub refuse to acknowledge wrong treat unjustly; do wrong to handle with kid gloves handle with great care and sensitivity criminalize treat as a criminal nurse treat carefully strong-arm handle roughly ride roughshod, run roughshod treat inconsiderately or harshly upstage treat snobbishly, put in one's place rough-house treat in a rough or boisterous manner brutalise, brutalize treat brutally do well by treat with respect and consideration gloss over, skate over, skimp over, slur over, smooth over treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mistreat, step treat badly baby, cocker, coddle, cosset, featherbed, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil treat with excessive indulgence bait, cod, rag, rally, razz, ride, tantalise, tantalize, taunt, tease, twit harass with persistent criticism or carping blackguard, guy, jest at, laugh at, make fun, poke fun, rib, ridicule, roast subject to laughter or ridicule deride treat or speak of with contempt aggrieve infringe on the rights of kick around treat badly; abuse sandbag treat harshly or unfairly victimise, victimize make a victim of type of: interact act together or towards others or with others
verb show and train “The prize-winning poodle was handled by Mrs. Priscilla Prescott” see moresee less type of: control, keep in line, manipulate control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage
verb act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression synonyms: address, cover, deal, plow, treat do by, treat interact in a certain way comprehend, cover, embrace, encompass include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory see moresee less types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... theologise, theologize treat from a theological viewpoint or render theological in character discourse, discuss, talk about consider or examine in speech or writing descant talk at great length about something of one's interest talk shop discuss matters that are related to work type of: broach, initiate, moot bring up a topic for discussion
noun the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it “he grabbed the hammer by the handle” synonyms: grip, handgrip, hold see moresee less types: show 21 types... hide 21 types... ax handle, axe handle the handle of an ax broom handle, broomstick the handle of a broom crop the stock or handle of a whip haft, helve the handle of a weapon or tool hilt the handle of a sword or dagger hoe handle the handle of a hoe knob a round handle mop handle the handle of a mop panhandle the handle of a pan pommel, saddlebow handgrip formed by the raised front part of a saddle pommel a handgrip that a gymnast uses when performing exercises on a pommel horse rake handle the handle of a rake stock the handle end of some implements or tools gunstock, stock the handle of a handgun or the butt end of a rifle or shotgun or part of the support of a machine gun or artillery gun basket hilt a hilt with a basket-shaped guard for the hand bitstock, brace a carpenter's tool having a crank handle for turning and a socket to hold a bit for boring butt, butt end thick end of the handle doorhandle, doorknob a knob used to release the catch when opening a door (often called `doorhandle' in Great Britain) horn, saddle horn a high pommel of a Western saddle (usually metal covered with leather) pistol grip a handle (as of a gun or saw) shaped like the butt of a pistol stop (music) a knob on an organ that is pulled to change the sound quality from the organ pipes type of: appendage a part that is joined to something larger

Pronunciation US /ˈhændl/ UK /ˈhændəl/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

MLA
APA
Chicago

Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘handle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing handle

Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do

At a loss for an original message to put on your Mother's Day card? Consult this list of verbs to remember all your mother has done for you.

Macbeth's "Is this a dagger..." soliloquy

from Shakespeare's "Macbeth" -- Act II Scene 1

"Digging" by Seamus Heaney

The poet praises his family's farming prowess while contemplating his identity as a writer. Read the text here.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started Learn with us

Learner subscriptions
Vocabulary lists
Dictionary
Test Prep
Join a Vocabulary Jam
Commonly confused words
Word of the day

Teach with us

For educators
For schools and districts
How it works
Success stories
Research
Professional development
Contact sales

Resources

Help articles/FAQ
Teaching resources
Learner resources
ESL/ELL resources
Grade level resources
IPA Pronunciation
Contact support

Leaderboards

Vocabulary Bowl
Today's leaders
Weekly leaders
Monthly leaders

About

Our Mission
Blog
Tell us what you think
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

My Account Log in Sign up

Log Out
My Learning
My Proficiency Report
My Profile
Schools & Teachers
My Classes
Assignments & Activities
My Lists
- Find a List to Learn...
- Create a New List...
My Progress
- Words I'm Learning
- My Trouble Words
- Words I've Mastered
- My Achievements
User Administration
User Authentication
My Account