handyman

handyman — noun

1. a man who does practical jobs around the house, such as fixing broken items, pai

1.nounB1
Definition

a man who does practical jobs around the house, such as fixing broken items, painting walls, or putting up shelves, whether for his own household or for customers

Example

Felix asked the handyman to fix the leaky tap in the kitchen.

ask the handyman to + infinitive

When the shelf fell down, Nala called a local handyman to put it back up.

call a handyman

Common collocations
  • call a handyman
  • hire a handyman
  • work as a handyman
  • skilled handyman
  • local handyman
  • ask the handyman to + verb
Synonyms
  • repairman

    focuses more on fixing broken items than on general maintenance or building

  • handy person

    gender-neutral alternative that covers both men and women

  • handywoman

    specifically a woman who does the same kind of practical jobs

Usage Note

The term traditionally refers to a man, but 'handy person' or 'handywoman' are used for any gender. 'Handyman' is also sometimes used as a gender-neutral term in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

I need a handyman to clean the windows.
I need a cleaner to clean the windows.
A handyman fixes and repairs things; a cleaner washes and tidies.

Word family

  • handy
    adjectiveB1
  • handywoman
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all describe someone who does practical jobs, but they differ in scope and gender reference. 'Handyman' is the most common term and covers a broad range of tasks — fixing, building, painting, and general maintenance. 'Repairman' is narrower: it describes someone who specifically fixes broken items (e.g., 'a washing-machine repairman'), and may not include building or painting jobs. 'Handy person' is a modern, gender-neutral alternative that avoids the -man suffix; it can refer to anyone, male or female, who does odd jobs around the house. 'Handywoman' is the feminine counterpart, though it is less common. In conversation, many people use 'handyman' as a gender-neutral term even when referring to a woman. For example: 'We need a repairman for the boiler, but a handyman can fix the fence. My aunt is a very skilled handyman and can build furniture from scratch.'

repairmanhandy personhandywoman

Common collocations

Nouns

  • handyman service
  • handyman business
  • handyman skills

Phrases

  • do odd jobs as a handyman
  • hire someone as a handyman

Etymology

English

Formed in English from 'handy' (skillful with one's hands, dating from the 1500s) and 'man' (person). The compound appears in writing from the early 1800s, originally describing a sailor who could handle a variety of tasks on a ship, and later expanding to any person skilled at practical household work.