hand
A1All registers (neutral)
Definition
Meaning
The part of the body at the end of the arm, from the wrist to the fingers.
Metonymically used for assistance, control, skill, possession, or a worker. Also a unit for measuring horse height.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is fundamentally metonymic, allowing it to extend from the physical body part to concepts like help ('lend a hand'), skill ('good hand at...'), control ('in my hands'), writing ('a legible hand'), a performer ('an old hand'), and measurement ('15 hands high').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In horse measurement, both use 'hands'. In bridge/cards, both use 'hand'. 'Hand' meaning worker is slightly more common in BrE (e.g., 'farmhand'). The idiom 'give someone a big hand' (applause) is universal.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. 'Hand' as a verb (e.g., 'hand in') is slightly more formal in AmE for submission of work.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties with near-identical usage patterns.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hand [OBJ] to [RECIPIENT]hand [RECIPIENT] [OBJ]hand over [OBJ]hand in [OBJ]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bite the hand that feeds you”
- “force someone's hand”
- “have a hand in something”
- “out of hand”
- “wait on someone hand and foot”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to workforce ('all hands on deck'), involvement ('a hand in the deal'), or transfer of control ('hand over the project').
Academic
Used literally in anatomy; metaphorically in history ('the hand of fate') or literature ('the author's hand is evident').
Everyday
Ubiquitous for physical actions, help, and possession ('give me a hand', 'in your hands').
Technical
In sailing ('port hand'), card games ('dealer's hand'), horology ('hour hand'), and horse measurement.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please hand your coursework to the tutor.
- He handed round the biscuits.
American English
- Please hand in your assignment by Friday.
- Could you hand me the remote?
adverb
British English
- This sweater is knitted hand.
- (Rare as adverb; usually part of compound: 'hand-delivered')
American English
- The package was delivered hand. (Rare)
- It's a hand-painted sign.
adjective
British English
- It was a hand-knitted jumper.
- He prefers hand tools for finer work.
American English
- She bought a hand-made journal.
- The note was written in hand-lettered script.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I write with my right hand.
- Can you give me a hand with this bag?
- On the one hand, I'd like to go out, but on the other, I'm quite tired.
- She has a very neat hand.
- The property will be handed down to the eldest son.
- The situation is getting out of hand.
- The minister was accused of having a hand in the cover-up.
- The old sailor was a real hand at knot-tying.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock: the HANDS point to the numbers, just as your hands point and grasp things in the world.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAND FOR CONTROL/POSSESSION (e.g., 'The matter is in your hands'), HAND FOR SKILL (e.g., 'She has a good hand for pastry'), HAND FOR HELP (e.g., 'Can you lend a hand?').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'hand' for 'arm' (рука). In English, 'arm' is shoulder to wrist, 'hand' is wrist to fingers.
- 'On hand' means available, not literally on your hand.
- 'At second hand' means indirectly, not 'second arm'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He hurt his hand' (when meaning the upper arm).
- Incorrect article: 'by the hand' vs. 'by hand' (manually).
- Confusing 'hand in' (submit) with 'hand out' (distribute).
Practice
Quiz
In the context of horse riding, what does '15 hands high' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. For animals like monkeys or apes, 'paw' or 'hand' might be used informally, but 'paw' is standard for most mammals. In technical zoology, 'forelimb' is preferred.
'At hand' means nearby or imminent ('Help is at hand'). 'In hand' means under control or being dealt with ('We have the matter in hand'). 'On hand' means available or present ('Staff are on hand to help').
Yes, but usually in singular constructions with an article: 'Can you give/lend me a hand?' It's not typical to say 'I need two hands' for two instances of help.
It's a synecdoche where the part (the hand) stands for the action performed by it (applause). Asking for 'a big hand' is asking for vigorous clapping.
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Body and Health
A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.