Standard Lemma guide

handgrip

noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A handle; the portion of a handle that the hand occupies.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonym: grip
  • The machine has some handgrips and steps built into its frame.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: grip

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A covering (often rubber or foam) on a handle, designed to allow the user a more comfortable or more secure hold on the handle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He wrapped some fabric tape around the rubber handgrips to make them less slippery.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A handshake; a way of gripping hands with another person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • They use a certain handgrip as a wordless shibboleth.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

The ability to grip something with a hand.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • handgrip strength
  • Scientists have found that handgrip strength is a surprisingly effective proxy measure for overall musculoskeletal health.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: grip

5

noun

Meaning 5

A grasp or grip.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he grabbed the hammer by the handle
  • it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: handle, grip, hold

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: appendage

Narrower terms: ax handle, axe handle, broomstick, broom handle, crop, haft, helve, hilt, hoe handle, knob, mop handle, panhandle, pommel, saddlebow, rake handle, stock, gunstock

History

Etymology

From Middle English hand grip, handegrip, from Old English handgripe (“handgrip”), from Proto-West Germanic *handugripi (“handgrip”), equivalent to hand + grip. Cognate with Dutch handgreep (“handgrip, grasp”), German Handgriff (“handgrip, grasp, handle, hilt”), Danish håndgreb (“handgrip”), Swedish håndgrepp (“handgrip, handle, hilt”).

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: дръжка (drǎžka) — A handle
  • German: Handgriff — A handle
  • Bulgarian: ръкостискане (rǎkostiskane) — A handshake