handjob

IPA/ˈhændʒɒb/
IPA/ˈhændʒɑːb/

handjob — noun

  • handjobsingular
  • handjobsplural

1. an informal and offensive word for stimulating a male sex organ with the hand, t

1.noun
Definition

an informal and offensive word for stimulating a male sex organ with the hand, typically to give someone sexual enjoyment or bring them to orgasm

Example

In the comedy film, a character joked about getting a handjob from his girlfriend.

collocation: getting a handjob from [a person]

The teenagers heard the word handjob in the video and started laughing nervously.

countable noun used with definite article

Common collocations
  • give someone a handjob
  • get a handjob
  • receive a handjob
  • a handjob from someone
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

give + someone + a handjob

get/receive + a handjob

handjob + from + someone

Usage Note

This term is considered rude or offensive in most social situations. Avoid using it in formal, professional, or mixed-company settings. A more neutral alternative is 'manual stimulation'.

Common Mistakes

❗ 'He gave himself a handjob.' ✅ 'He masturbated.' — 'handjob' is normally used when someone performs the act on another person, not on oneself.

Word family

  • hand job
    noun

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Handjob' and 'masturbation' are often confused but refer to different acts: a handjob is performed on someone else, while masturbation is usually self-stimulation. 'Manual stimulation' is the clinical, neutral term suitable for medical or educational writing. 'Hand relief' is an older, less common euphemism that may sound dated. For example, a sex education pamphlet might say 'manual stimulation' whereas a crude joke among friends might use 'handjob'. Choose according to the setting and the tone you need.

handjob ↗manual stimulationhand reliefmasturbation ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • give someone a handjob
  • receive a handjob

Prepositions

Etymology

English

A compound of the English words 'hand' and 'job', where 'job' has been used in slang since the early 20th century to refer to a sexual act. The term first appeared in print around the 1930s–1940s in underground or erotic writing.