hand
hand
Hand (noun) means the part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping and manipulating objects. Example: “She waved her hand to catch the waiter's attention.”
noun
1
The part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping and manipulating objects.
"She waved her hand to catch the waiter's attention."
"He shook my hand firmly and introduced himself."
"The little boy held his mother's hand tightly as they crossed the busy road."
2
The cards a player is holding in a card game, or a single round of play.
"He folded early, holding a weak hand."
"They played one more hand before calling it a night."
"Nobody at the table could believe how strong her hand was."
3
Help or assistance, especially physical.
"Could you give me a hand moving this sofa?"
"Would you like a hand carrying those shopping bags to the car?"
"Dad lent a hand with painting the fence last weekend."
4
A worker or laborer, especially one hired for manual work.
"The ranch employed several hands during harvest season."
"The farm took on extra hands for the apple picking."
"Every hand on the boat was called to help when the wind rose."
verb
1
To pass or give something to someone using the hand.
"She handed him the keys and left without another word."
"Please hand me that screwdriver from the toolbox."
"The cashier handed the customer a bag and a receipt."
How to use hand
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe body part at the end of your arm; also a set of playing cards, a helper, or (as a verb) to give something to someone.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
give someone a hand
a hand of cards
shake hands
hand something over
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Word forms
- Plural
- hands
- Third person singular
- hands
- Past tense
- handed
- Archaic forms
- handest, handedst, handeth
Fill the gap
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She waved her _____ to catch the waiter's attention.
Etymology
From Old English hand, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch hand, German Hand, and Danish hånd.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hand
See all rhymes for hand →Frequently asked questions
What does “hand” mean?
The word “hand” means the part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping and manipulating objects. In plain terms, the body part at the end of your arm; also a set of playing cards, a helper, or (as a verb) to give something to someone.
How do you pronounce “hand”?
“Hand” is pronounced hand (/hænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “hand” in a sentence?
Here is “hand” used in a sentence: “She waved her hand to catch the waiter's attention.”
What is another word for “hand”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hand” include biscuit hooks, mauler and meat hook.
What part of speech is “hand”?
Depending on how it is used, “hand” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hand” come from?
The word “hand” comes from Old English. From Old English hand, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch hand, German Hand, and Danish hånd.
Is “hand” a common word?
“Hand” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “hand” have?
“Hand” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping and manipulating objects.
What is the difference between a hand and a handful?
A hand is the body part at the end of the arm. A handful is the amount that hand can hold at once — a handful of nuts — or, figuratively, a small number of things or a person who is hard to manage. So a hand is the body part, while a handful is a quantity or a description.
What are the parts of the hand?
The human hand has four fingers and a thumb, which together allow precise gripping. The flat inner surface is the palm and the back is its opposite side, while the wrist connects the hand to the arm. Small joints called knuckles let the fingers bend, giving the hand its remarkable flexibility.
Why is the hand important?
The hand is one of the body's most versatile tools. Its opposable thumb lets it grip objects firmly yet handle them delicately, making it essential for writing, eating, using tools, and creating. This fine control has been central to human skill and technology, setting our dexterity apart from most other animals.
What is an example of hand?
You might 'raise your hand' to ask a question or 'hold something in your hand.' The word also appears in many expressions, such as 'give me a hand' meaning help, or 'the hands of a clock,' showing how the idea of a hand extends beyond the body part into everyday language.
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