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handyman

handyman

50 2.7
A person who fixes and looks after things around a home or workplace
  • noun
  • /ˈhændɪˌmæn/
translation icon : manitas
  • When my sink started leaking, I called a handyman to fix it quickly.
  • hire a handyman
  • handyman jobs
  • handyman work

Jay, if you're a handyman, you got this on the job.

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Examples

  • My husband, like, used to do handyman work at the little gym so that Billy could have gymnastics classes.

  • Your handyman was at the same convention!

  • "I would have gone over the file at my office, but the handyman called."

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Which is why I am a handyman.

  • I'd not be much of a handyman with one hand.

  • Of course, I knew that my institute mate was a born handyman.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I just booked a handyman guy on TaskRabbit.

  • He's a handyman, never really had a really steady job.

  • The two meet accidentally in an art gallery where Luis works as a clerk and general handyman.

    Academic text (1990)
  • I am a personal assistant, cleaner, cook, counselor, taxi service, gardener, handyman, all rolled into one package.

    Blog text (19)

Synonyms

repairman
vshandyman
33 2.7

A person who fixes broken machines and equipment

is broader by also doing varied odd jobs and general maintenance
maintenance man
vshandyman
11 2.5

A person who fixes and looks after buildings and equipment

is broader, covering small home repairs and varied odd jobs
fixer
vshandyman
6 3.6

A skilled worker who repairs things in houses and apartments

is broader, also covering maintenance and various small non-technical jobs
tradesman
vshandyman
1 3.2

A skilled worker who does building or repair work

is more of a general repair person handling diverse small tasks around property
odd-job man
vshandyman
  • UK
1 3.9

A man who does small repair jobs around the home

is more skilled and handles a wider range of repair and maintenance work
repairer
vshandyman
1 3.0

A person who fixes broken things, often as a job

is wider in task range, including minor household repairs and odd jobs
service man
vshandyman
1 3.2

A person who repairs machines or home appliances

is less specialized and includes general odd jobs and upkeep
handywoman
vshandyman
1 5.3

A woman who fixes things and does small jobs around the house

refers to a male worker with the same broad repair and maintenance skills
utility man
vshandyman
  • US
1 5.2

A person who does many different jobs and fills in when needed

focuses more on repairs and maintenance rather than broad role flexibility
jack of all trades
vshandyman
  • Informal
1 4.3

A person who can do many different jobs but is not an expert

is a skilled generalist who retains practical competence across many repair areas
tradesperson
vshandyman
1 3.6

A person who does skilled physical work like an electrician or carpenter

is broader, covering many small repairs and non-specialist maintenance tasks
repairwoman
vshandyman
3.3

A woman who fixes machines, equipment, or buildings

is the male-focused term for the same repair-oriented role
skilled workman
vshandyman
3.0

A man trained to do a certain trade like a carpenter

is broader, applied to a generalist who does many repair types

Antonyms

6 4.6

A person who is not able to do a job or task well

How Skilled

craftsman
39 2.8
repairman
33 2.7
handyman
50 2.7
odd-job man
  • UK
1 3.9
helper
79 1.0
novice
46 3.4

Surface Forms

handyman singular
handymen plural

Morphology

handyman = handy + man (transparent) = handy + man

Clear combination of the adjective 'handy' and 'man' to denote a person who is handy; meaning follows directly from the components.

Etymology

The word handyman comes from the simple parts hand and man, where 'hand' suggests 'work with the hands' and 'man' means 'person'. So a handyman is someone who is 'handy' and can do many repairs and odd jobs around the home.