English

Adjective

handsy ‎(comparative handsier, superlative handsiest)

1. (informal) Prone to touching other people with one's hands, especially inappropriately.
   • 2005 March 1, Zach Braff and Heather Graham as J.D. and Molly Clock, “My Best Laid Plans”, in Scrubs, season 4, episode 19:

     J.D. (internal monologue): Okay J.D., you're a little drunk. And you know what happens when you get drunk. You get handsy. Now control yourself.
     Molly: It's tough making new friends in Milwaukee.
     J.D. (internal monologue): (feeling up own chest) I said control yourself!

   • 2008, Lisa Plumley, Home for the Holidays, Zebra Books (2008), ISBN 9780821780534, page 96:

     "Listen up." Nate nodded at Angela's root beer. "That's what you should drink on your date with Patrick the Prick. So you'll be alert if he gets all handsy with you."

     "He won't get handsy. We're just having coffee.

   • 2008, Phoebe Reilly, "Thick As Thieves", Spin, September 2008:

     A more pressing struggle is the one Crystal Castles have to contend with each night: feral fanboys who use Glass' aggressiveness as an excuse to get handsy. "They usually get a mic stand to the head," says Glass, with a shrug [...]

   • For more examples of usage of this term, see Citations:handsy.
2. (golf) Moving the hands and wrists excessively when making a stroke or swing,
   • 1991, Jaime Diaz, "Pavin Is Making a Strong Bid to Join Game's Elite", The New York Times, 26 May 1991:

     At a wiry 5 feet 9 inches and 140 pounds, with a handsy, almost ungainly swing, Pavin lacked the power and solid technique that have been the foundation of success for most of the game's elite players.

Synonyms

• (prone to touching others): groping, tactile, touchy-feely

Translations