a part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by the hand.
that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose: The clue was a handle for solving the mystery.
Slang.
a person's name, especially the given name.
a person's alias, nickname, or code name.
a username, as on a social media website: What's your Twitter handle?
a name or term by which something is known, described, or explained.
the total amount wagered on an event, series of events, or for an entire season or seasons, as at a gambling casino or in horse racing: The track handle for the day was over a million dollars.
the total amount of money taken in by a business concern on one transaction, sale, event, or series of transactions, or during a specific period, especially by a theater, nightclub, sports arena, resort hotel, or the like.
hand (def. 27).
Informal. a way of getting ahead or gaining an advantage: The manufacturer regards the new appliance as its handle on the Christmas market.
verb (used with object),han·dled,han·dling.
to touch, pick up, carry, or feel with the hand or hands; use the hands on; take hold of.
to manage, deal with, or be responsible for: My wife handles the household accounts. This computer handles all our billing.
to use or employ, especially in a particular manner; manipulate: to handle color expertly in painting.
to manage, direct, train, or control: to handle troops.
to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.): The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect.
to deal with or treat in a particular way: to handle a person with tact.
to deal or trade in: to handle dry goods.
verb (used without object),han·dled,han·dling.
to behave or perform in a particular way when handled, directed, managed, etc.: The troops handled well. The jet was handling poorly.
Idioms for handle
fly off the handle, Informal. to become very agitated or angry, especially without warning or adequate reason: I can't imagine why he flew off the handle like that.
get / have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of: Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects?
Origin of handle
before 900; (noun) Middle English handel, Old English hand(e)le, derivative of hand; (verb) Middle English handelen, Old English handlian (cognate with German handlen, Old Norse hǫndla to seize), derivative of the noun
SYNONYMS FOR handle
14 sell, vend, carry, market; hawk, peddle.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR handle ON THESAURUS.COM
OTHER WORDS FROM handle
han·dle·a·ble,adjectivehan·dle·a·bil·i·ty,nounhan·dle·less,adjectiveo·ver·han·dle,verb (used with object),o·ver·han·dled,o·ver·han·dling.
pre·han·dle,verb (used with object),pre·han·dled,pre·han·dling.re·han·dle,verb (used with object),re·han·dled,re·han·dling.