hand-to-hand
1 of 2adjective
ˈhan(d)-tə-ˈhand 
ˈhan-də-
: involving physical contact or close enough range for physical contact
hand-to-hand fighting
hand to hand
2 of 2adverb
: at very close range
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 There, building projects don’t just transfer from hand to hand. Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 9 June 2022 Being a coastal grandmother means wearing loose, breathable fabrics and doing strength training by shifting a full glass of Sauvignon Blanc from hand to hand. Glamour, 26 Apr. 2022 Pick the dough up and pass it gently from hand to hand. Carlo Mirarchi, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2021 The most magical thing is the way the books were passed from hand to hand amongst kids, and adults sort of didn’t know anything about it. Staff And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2021 Passglas, which means ‘the glass that passes from hand to hand’ was an after-dinner game where the drinker’s task was to slurp precisely the right amount, right up to the marked circle. Marisel Salazar, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2021 In poker, each player has to act in the now and change plans and strategies from hand to hand, competition to competition and day to day. Johan Hajji, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021 Coming up for us, hand to hand combat at 35,000 feet. NBC News, 20 Aug. 2021 See More
Adverb
The video captured multiple hand to hand transactions wherein Ozment was engaged in the sale of methamphetamine. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 There, building projects don’t just transfer from hand to hand. Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 9 June 2022 Being a coastal grandmother means wearing loose, breathable fabrics and doing strength training by shifting a full glass of Sauvignon Blanc from hand to hand. Glamour, 26 Apr. 2022 Pick the dough up and pass it gently from hand to hand. Carlo Mirarchi, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2021 The most magical thing is the way the books were passed from hand to hand amongst kids, and adults sort of didn’t know anything about it. Staff And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2021 Passglas, which means ‘the glass that passes from hand to hand’ was an after-dinner game where the drinker’s task was to slurp precisely the right amount, right up to the marked circle. Marisel Salazar, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2021 In poker, each player has to act in the now and change plans and strategies from hand to hand, competition to competition and day to day. Johan Hajji, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021 Coming up for us, hand to hand combat at 35,000 feet. NBC News, 20 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1833, in the meaning defined above
Adverb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
hand-to-hand
adjective
ˌhan-tə-ˈhand
: involving bodily contact
hand-to-hand combat
hand-to-hand
adjective
1
as in close-in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- close-in
- handy
- convenient
- approaching
- oncoming
- upcoming
- coming
- accessible
- adjoining
- adjacent
- bordering
- contiguous
- nearby
- forthcoming
- abutting
- neighboring
- close-up
- nigh
- immediate
- near
- next-door
- close
- proximate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distant
- remote
- deep
- far
- away
- faraway
- far-off
- separated
- divorced
- removed
2
as in physical
Synonyms & Similar Words
- physical
- bodily
- animal
- corporeal
- corporal
- somatic
- carnal
- sensual
- material
- sensuous
- fleshly
- physiological
- anatomical
- anatomic
- physiologic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mental
- psychological
- intellectual
- cerebral
- spiritual
- inner
- psychologic
- nonphysical
- psychic
- metaphysical
- psychical
- immaterial
- incorporeal
- nonmaterial
- insubstantial
- ethereal
- bodiless