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Definitions

handyman

[han-dee-man] / ˈhæn diˌmæn /
NOUN
jack-of-all-trades
Synonyms
STRONGEST
helper
WEAK
hired man man-of-all-work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for handyman?
A handyman (plural handymen) is a person who can be hired to do various small jobs (often called odd jobs), especially in a home, apartment building, or office building. A similar word is repairman, and handymen are often hired to repair things, but they also offer other services, such as maintenance or small-scale construction or renovation. Handymen are known for doing any job that needs to be done and having experience and knowledge in many areas. For this reason, a handyman is often referred to as a jack-of-all-trades (the much less common man-of-all-work means the same thing). This often implies that they are generalists, rather than specialists in a particular area, such as plumbing or roofing.
What is a better, gender-neutral word for handyman?
Despite its use of man, the word handyman is often used regardless of gender. The term handyperson is a gender-neutral alternative, but it’s not commonly used. The term handywoman can be used to refer to a woman in this role. Handyman is the most common way of referring to such a person, and there aren’t common terms that mean the exact same thing. Handymen are often independent contractors, meaning they don’t work for a company but instead offer their services as part of their own business, so this is one potential alternative for the word handyman. Another is general contractor, though this may suggest someone who takes on larger projects.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Here in the cliff-side village of Las Cuevas, one family is mourning Chad Joseph, 26 years old, whom relatives described as a fisherman and handyman desperate to find a steady job.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

This rackety project, involving an elaborate set of tools and a more experienced handyman, became one of the principal stage activities.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025

She grew up in Yorkshire where her father was a self-employed handyman and her mother a part-time community worker.

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2025

And the writers always find the sweetest ways to do that, as when Hank finds out his new retirement hobby as a handyman comes with the expectation of free therapy from his younger clients.

From Salon • Aug. 4, 2025

Tom Grieves, the handyman, who had to clean up the cage, named the birds Peter Soil and Maggie Mess.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey