1 han·dle
Pronounced:
/ˈhændl̟/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural han·dlesMeaning:
[count] 1 : a part of something that is designed to be held by your hand ▪ He held the shovel by the/its handle. ▪ The handles on the bag were torn. ▪ a door handle [=the part that you turn with your hand to open a door] —see picture at bag; see also love handles
2 slang : 1nickname ▪ What's your handle?
2 slang : 1nickname ▪ What's your handle?
fly off the handle —see 1fly
get/have a handle on
informal : to understand (something) ▪ I can't quite get a handle on the way this machine works. ▪ It seemed like she had a good handle on the situation. [=she understood the situation and was able to deal with it]
—han·dled /ˈhændl̟d/ adjective —usually used in combination ▪ a wooden-handled basket
/ˈhændl̟d/ adjective —usually used in combination ▪ a wooden-handled basket