hand
The end part of a person's arm, including the palm, fingers, and thumb. It is used for holding, moving, or feeling objects.
Examples
3 of 5Please wash your hands before dinner.
Please clean your hands before eating the meal.
Please raise your hand if you have a question.
Kindly lift your hand to signify that you wish to ask something.
Give me a hand with these heavy boxes.
Help me carry these heavy boxes.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Visualize the letter 'H'—the two vertical lines are like arms, and the horizontal line is like two hands meeting to shake.
Quick Quiz
I usually write with my right ____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: hand
Examples
Please wash your hands before dinner.
everydayPlease clean your hands before eating the meal.
Please raise your hand if you have a question.
formalKindly lift your hand to signify that you wish to ask something.
Give me a hand with these heavy boxes.
informalHelp me carry these heavy boxes.
The human hand is a complex structure of bones and muscles.
academicThe part of the body at the end of the arm is a complicated system of biology.
They agreed to the deal and shook hands.
businessThey accepted the contract and performed a hand greeting.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
give someone a hand
to help someone with a task
on the other hand
used to introduce a contrasting point of view
in good hands
being managed or cared for by someone reliable
Often Confused With
The arm is the entire limb from the shoulder down, whereas the hand is only the part from the wrist to the fingertips.
Usage Notes
Use 'hand' to refer to the physical body part or figuratively to describe help. It is a countable noun, so it needs 'a' or to be pluralized as 'hands'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'on the other side' when they mean the idiom 'on the other hand'. Also, do not confuse the body part with the verb 'to hand', which means to pass something to someone.
Memory Tip
Visualize the letter 'H'—the two vertical lines are like arms, and the horizontal line is like two hands meeting to shake.
Word Origin
From the Old English word 'hand', which has Germanic origins and has remained similar for centuries.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures, shaking hands is the standard way to greet someone or finalize a business agreement.
Quick Quiz
I usually write with my right ____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: hand
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Related Phrases
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