unhandy
|un-han-dy|
/ʌnˈhændi/
not convenient to handle; awkward
Etymology
'unhandy' originates from the English negative prefix 'un-' (from Old English 'un-') combined with the adjective 'handy' (from 'hand' + suffix '-y'), where 'hand' originally meant 'hand' or 'the part of the body for grasping.'
'handy' developed in Middle English from Old English 'hand' plus the adjectival suffix '-y'; later the negative prefix 'un-' was attached to form 'unhandy' meaning 'not handy' or 'awkward'.
Initially it implied 'not at hand' or 'not readily available'; over time the sense shifted toward 'awkward, inconvenient to handle' and 'not useful'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not handy; inconvenient to use or handle; awkward or clumsy.
The old toolbox is unhandy to carry without a proper handle.
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Adjective 2
(chiefly) Not readily at hand; not easily available or accessible.
He found the reference book unhandy when he needed it quickly.
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Last updated: 2025/11/26 12:37