handgun
C1formal, legal, military, law enforcement, journalism; can be neutral in technical contexts but often carries a serious/weighty tone due to subject matter.
Definition
Meaning
a small gun designed to be held and fired with one hand
A firearm designed for manual operation (non-automatic or semi-automatic) and intended to be held and operated with one hand, though often steadied with the second. It includes pistols and revolvers. In law and public discourse, it is often distinguished from long guns (rifles, shotguns).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is primarily descriptive and technical. It does not specify the firing mechanism (revolver vs. semi-automatic pistol). It is often used in legal and regulatory contexts to categorize firearms. Contrasts with 'long gun', 'rifle', 'shotgun'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally used in both varieties. However, in British English, due to stricter gun laws, the word appears more frequently in legal, police, and news reporting contexts than in everyday conversation. In American English, it may appear in a wider range of contexts, including recreational shooting discussions.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is neutral-technical. However, in public/political discourse, it can automatically inherit connotations from the broader debate on gun control (e.g., 'handgun violence', 'handgun ownership').
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English media and discourse due to the prevalence of the topic. In British English, it is a low-frequency word for the general population but standard in specific professional domains.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + fire + [handgun][Subject] + carry/conceal + [handgun][Law/Regulation] + regulate/ban + [handgun][Person] + be licensed for + [handgun][Handgun] + be used in + [crime/self-defense]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in businesses related to firearms manufacturing, sales, or security services (e.g., 'handgun sales declined this quarter').
Academic
Used in criminology, law, sociology, and public policy studies (e.g., 'a study on the correlation between handgun availability and homicide rates').
Everyday
Used in news reports and discussions about crime, law, or personal safety. Not typical in casual conversation outside these topics.
Technical
Standard in military, law enforcement, and ballistic contexts for precise classification of a firearm type.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The new legislation imposes stricter checks for anyone applying for a handgun certificate.
- Police recovered a loaded handgun from the vehicle.
- The debate centred on whether banning handguns would reduce street crime.
American English
- The Second Amendment is often cited in debates about handgun ownership rights.
- She took a safety course before purchasing her first handgun.
- The suspect was armed with a semi-automatic handgun.
adverb
British English
- []
American English
- []
adjective
British English
- Handgun crime statistics were presented to the committee.
- They attended a handgun proficiency course.
American English
- The handgun market has seen a surge in first-time buyers.
- He is a proponent of handgun carry laws.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is a handgun. It is small.
- In some countries, it is illegal to carry a handgun in public.
- The police officer had a handgun in a holster.
- The proposed law would require a mandatory waiting period for all handgun purchases.
- Ballistic tests can link a specific handgun to bullets found at a crime scene.
- Critics argue that the prevalence of easily concealed handguns contributes significantly to urban violence.
- The statute's vague definition of 'antique handgun' created a loophole for collectors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of HAND + GUN: a GUN you hold in your HAND, not on your shoulder.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Literal object). Can be part of larger metaphors: a handgun as a 'tool' (for protection/aggression), a 'symbol' (of power, danger, rights).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ручной пулемёт' (handheld machine gun). 'Handgun' specifically refers to pistols/revolvers. The direct Russian equivalent is 'пистолет' or 'револьвер', but the English term is a broader category covering both.
- Avoid using 'gun' (пушка, орудие) as a perfect synonym, as it is much broader.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'handgun' to refer to a rifle or shotgun. (Incorrect: 'He hunted deer with a handgun.')
- Misspelling as 'hand gun' (two words). The standard spelling is a single compound word: 'handgun'.
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'gun' or 'pistol' might be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best example of a handgun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost. 'Handgun' is the broader category. All pistols are handguns, but not all handguns are pistols (e.g., revolvers are also handguns). 'Pistol' often implies a semi-automatic handgun, while 'revolver' has a rotating cylinder.
Yes, but it is specialized and less common than using rifles or shotguns. It requires significant skill due to shorter barrels and less accuracy at long range. Specific powerful handguns are designed for hunting.
'Firearm' is the umbrella term for all guns – including handguns, rifles, and shotguns. A 'handgun' is a specific type of firearm designed for one-handed use.
Because laws frequently need to define and regulate different types of weapons separately. 'Handgun' provides a clear, technical definition that distinguishes easily concealable personal firearms from long guns, which are often subject to different regulations.