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hand

Meaning in simple English

US /hænd/

hand means: The part at the end of your arm that has fingers and a thumb.

noun

BODY PARTA1

The part at the end of your arm that has fingers and a thumb.

  • Please hold my hand.
  • She washed her hands before lunch.
  • He raised his hand to ask a question.

Common phrases: right hand, hold someone’s hand, wash your hand

HELPB1

Help with doing something, usually a practical task.

  • Can you give me a hand?
  • She lent us a hand with the washing.
  • I needed a hand moving the sofa.

How to use it: give/lend someone a hand with something (Could you give me a hand with these boxes?)

Similar words: help, assistance

Common phrases: give a hand, lend a hand, need a hand

CLOCK POINTERB1

A moving pointer on a clock that shows the hour, minute, or second.

  • The minute hand points to six.
  • Both hands on the clock have stopped.
  • Does the red hand show the seconds?

Similar words: pointer

Common phrases: hour hand, minute hand, second hand

CARDS HELDB2

The playing cards a player holds during a game.

  • I have a strong hand.
  • She showed her hand after the final bet.
  • He won three hands of poker in a row.

Common phrases: a strong hand, a winning hand, play a hand

ANIMAL LIMBC2

A foot or gripping limb of certain animals, especially monkeys.

  • The monkey reached out its hand.
  • The ape held a branch with both hands.
  • A hawk’s foot was traditionally called a hand.

Similar words: foot

Common phrases: monkey’s hand, ape’s hand, hawk’s hand

verb

PASS TOA2

To give something to someone, usually by holding it out to them.

  • Please hand me the salt.
  • He handed his ticket to the driver.
  • Could you hand these papers to the teacher?

How to use it: hand someone something (Please hand me a clean towel.); hand something to someone (She handed the keys to her brother.)

Similar words: pass, give

Common phrases: hand someone something, hand something over, hand something to someone

GUIDE BY HANDC2

To help someone move somewhere by holding or supporting their arm or fingers.

  • He handed her down the steps.
  • The gentleman handed his guest into the carriage.
  • She handed the elderly passenger out of the boat.

How to use it: hand someone into/out of something (He handed her into the carriage.)

Similar words: assist, escort, guide

Common phrases: hand someone into something, hand someone down, hand someone out

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