handle

CEFRB1

/ˈhæn.d(ə)l/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    The part of an object designed for holding it.

  2. 02

    verb

    To deal with or manage a situation.

Examples

  • It all depends how you handle it.

  • She turned the handle and opened the door.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈheə̯n.d(ə)l/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings
  1. An instrument for effecting a purpose (either literally or figuratively); a tool, or an opportunity or pretext.

  2. The gross amount of wagering within a given period of time or for a given event at one of more establishments.

  3. The part of an object which is (designed to be) held in the hand when used or moved.

More examples

In context
  • It's hard to handle crying babies.

  • The daily handle of a Las Vegas casino is typically millions of dollars.

  • The successful businessman was knighted and acquired a handle to his name.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

She knows how to blank difficult customers politely at work.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English handel, handle, from Old English handle (“handle”), from Proto-West Germanic *handulā (“handle”). See verb below. Cognate with German Hantel (“dumbbell, barbell”), Danish handel (“handle”). Related to hand.