handy

Everyday

1. Useful and easy to use. tree →
2. Near and easy to reach: «Keep a torch handy». tree →
3. Good at doing things with your hands. tree →
4. «come in handy»: be useful later. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: «a handy tip», «handy for the shops» (close by). In safety: keep a first-aid kit handy. «Come in handy» is very common in speech.

Examples

• This pocket knife is really handy. tree →
• Keep your water bottle handy. tree →
• Our house is handy for the school. tree →
• Dad is handy with tools. tree →
• Save the string — it might come in handy. tree →
• Here's a handy tip for long division. tree →
• "I am not taking the hammer because I think there is something there," said he, "but it is handy for breaking the large lumps of coal." tree →

Note

Comparative: handier, handiest. Informal but widely used. «Handyman» = a person who does repairs.