handshake

handshake — noun

1. A handshake is when two people hold the other person's right hand and move it up

1.nounA2
Definition

A handshake is when two people hold the other person's right hand and move it up and down, usually to say hello, goodbye, or to show agreement.

Example

Lotte gave the job applicant a firm handshake before the interview began.

collocation: firm handshake / warm handshake

After signing the contract, Felix and Paloma sealed their deal with a handshake.

verb pattern: seal [deal] + with a handshake

Common collocations
  • firm handshake
  • warm handshake
  • brief handshake
  • exchange handshakes
  • offer a handshake
  • return a handshake
  • seal with a handshake
Synonyms
  • grip

    refers more to the strength of the hold than the greeting gesture itself

  • greeting

    much broader; covers any way of acknowledging someone, not just handshakes

Grammar Patterns

handshake + between [people]

give/offer + [person] + a handshake

Usage Note

Commonly paired with verbs like 'give', 'offer', 'exchange', 'return', or the phrase 'seal with a handshake'. In formal business settings, a handshake often follows the signing of an agreement or the conclusion of a meeting.

Common Mistakes

I gave him a handshake with my left hand.
I gave him a handshake with my right hand.
In most international business and social settings, handshakes are expected to use the right hand.

2. A short exchange of information between two electronic devices or programs befor

2.nounB2
Definition

A short exchange of information between two electronic devices or programs before they begin communicating, used to confirm identities and agree on the rules for sending data.

Example

The laptop and the server completed a digital handshake before sharing any files.

technical: handshake + between [devices]

When Linh connected her headphones to the phone, a short handshake confirmed the pairing.

verb pattern: complete/confirm a handshake

Common collocations
  • digital handshake
  • protocol handshake
  • perform a handshake
  • complete a handshake
  • Bluetooth handshake
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

handshake + between [devices]

perform/complete + a handshake

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used in computing, networking, and electronics contexts — such as Wi-Fi pairing, Bluetooth connections, or server-client communication. The handshake happens automatically and is invisible to the user.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A 'handshake' is a specific gesture where two people clasp and move each other's right hand, widely used in international business and Western social settings as a greeting or to confirm an agreement. 'Greeting' is a much broader term that covers any word, action, or gesture used to acknowledge someone's arrival — a wave, a smile, a verbal 'hello', or a handshake all count as greetings. 'Bow' refers to bending the body forward from the waist, common in East Asian cultures as a formal sign of respect, and varies in depth depending on the level of formality. 'Nod' is a brief downward movement of the head, often used as a casual or silent greeting between acquaintances. While a handshake involves physical contact and mutual participation, a bow or nod can be performed by one person alone. In Taiwan, a nod or slight bow is common in informal settings, whereas a handshake is typical in formal business meetings or when meeting someone for the first time in an international context.

handshake ↗greeting ↗bow ↗nod ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • handshake agreement
  • handshake deal
  • handshake protocol

Phrases

  • shake hands with
  • seal with a handshake

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The word 'handshake' is formed by combining the Old English words 'hand' (the end of the arm used for grasping) and 'shake' (to move up and down or back and forth). The gesture itself is ancient — historians believe it originated as a way for two people to show they were not holding weapons. The compound noun 'handshake' first appeared in written English in the early 19th century, replacing the older phrase 'shake hands'.