handywoman

IPA/ˈhændiwʊmən/
IPA/ˈhændiwʊmən/

handywoman — noun

  • handywomansingular
  • handywomansplural

1. A woman who has practical skills for fixing and building things in and around th

1.nounB1
Definition

A woman who has practical skills for fixing and building things in and around the home, whether she does this for enjoyment or as paid work.

Example

Mei-Lin called a handywoman to fix the broken fence in her back garden.

collocation: call a handywoman

After retiring, Amara became the neighborhood handywoman, repairing furniture for friends.

neighborhood / local handywoman

Common collocations
  • call a handywoman
  • hire a handywoman
  • work as a handywoman
  • skilled handywoman
  • local handywoman
Synonyms
  • repairwoman

    more formal and often refers to a paid trade rather than a hobby

  • odd-job woman

    chiefly British English, very informal, emphasises small varied tasks

Usage Note

The term 'handyman' is still more common in everyday speech and is often used for people of any gender. 'Handywoman' explicitly indicates that the person is a woman.

Common Mistakes

She works as a handyman.
She works as a handywoman.
Use 'handywoman' when the person's gender matters to the context.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Handywoman' and 'handyman' refer to the same type of practical home-repair work, with the only difference being gender — though 'handyman' is still used as a gender-neutral term in many contexts. 'Repairwoman' is more formal and tends to imply a professional trade rather than informal or hobby work. 'Odd-job woman' (common in British English) focuses on small, varied tasks rather than larger renovation or building projects. For example, you would call a handywoman to fix a fence or replace a sink, but you might hire an odd-job woman to paint a door and hang a shelf. If the work requires a license or certification, 'repairwoman' or a specific trade title (e.g., 'electrician') is more accurate.

handywoman ↗handyman ↗repairwomanodd-job woman

Common collocations

Phrases

  • call a handywoman
  • hire a handywoman
  • work as a handywoman

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Formed in English by combining 'handy' (skilful with one's hands, from Old English 'hand' + '-y') and 'woman'. Modeled on the earlier compound 'handyman', which appeared in the mid-19th century. 'Handywoman' emerged in the early 20th century as a direct feminine counterpart to 'handyman'.