hand
/hænd/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
The part of your body at the end of your arm. You use it to hold, touch, and do things. It has four fingers and a thumb.
- She held the cup in her hand.
- Wash your hands before dinner.
- 2.
A person's help with a task or job. It can also mean a worker's skill or a way of helping.
- Could you give me a hand with these boxes?
- We need more hands on the project.
verb
To give something to someone, usually by placing it in their hand.
- Please hand me the report.
- She handed him the keys.
Adinary Nuance
Hand is more direct and everyday than help when you mean physical support: “give me a hand” sounds natural and friendly. It is also more concrete than arm, which names the whole limb, not the part used for holding and touching. As a verb, hand is more specific than give because it often means passing something to another person.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bàn tay
- Spanish
- mano
- Chinese
- 手
- Japanese
- 手
- Korean
- 손
Etymology
Old English had, from a Germanic source. The word has been used in English since before the 12th century.
Common phrases
give someone a handon handhand in handby hand
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is "hand" a noun or a verb?
- It is both. As a noun, it means the body part. As a verb, it means to pass something to someone.
- What is the difference between "hand" and "arm"?
- Your arm is the full limb from shoulder to hand. Your hand is the part at the end with fingers and a thumb.
- Is "give me a hand" formal?
- No, it is common in everyday speech. It is friendly and natural, especially when asking for help.