Meaning & use
handler
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Meanings
nouncountable
A person who trains, controls or looks after an animal, especially a dog in a show or on duty.
Grammar: Has a plural: dog handlers.
Patterns
- a handler of something
- the handler of an animal
The handler led the dog around the show ring.
A police dog and its handler searched the building.
The snake handler wore thick gloves.
nouncountable
A person whose job is to carry, move or deal with a particular kind of item or material.
Grammar: Often part of a compound: baggage handler, food handler.
Patterns
- a baggage handler
- a food handler
The baggage handler loaded the suitcases onto the plane.
Food handlers must wash their hands often.
Handlers moved the crates by forklift.
nouncountable
A person who manages a public figure's affairs or a spy's work.
Grammar: Used about someone who guides others behind the scenes.
Patterns
- someone's handler
The singer's handler arranged all her interviews.
The agent met his handler in a quiet cafe.
The candidate's handlers prepared answers for every question.
nouncountablecomputingtechnical
In computing, a piece of code that deals with a specific event or kind of input.
Grammar: Used in programming: an event handler.
Patterns
- an event handler
- an error handler
The button's click handler opens a new window.
The error handler logs the problem and keeps the program running.
Word forms
| plural | handlers |
|---|
Common combinations
- dog handler
- The dog handler took the spaniel through the course.
- baggage handler
- A baggage handler found my missing case.
- event handler
- The event handler runs whenever the user presses a key.
- animal handler
- The animal handler calmed the nervous horse.
- press handler
- The press handler screened each reporter's question.
- food handler
- Every food handler needs hygiene training.
Synonyms and how they differ
- trainer
- A trainer teaches an animal or athlete, while a handler controls and works with it day to day.
- manager
- A manager oversees the business or career of a person, but handler suggests quiet, hands-on control.
- keeper
- A keeper looks after animals, usually in a zoo, rather than guiding them in action.
- minder
- Minder, mostly British, suggests someone who guards or watches over a person.
Word family
Commonly confused: handler or handle? handler or hander?
handler vs handle
A handle is the part you hold or the verb for dealing with something. A handler is the person who handles.
handler vs hander
Hander is not a standard word. Use handler for someone who manages or trains.
Practice
The police dog was calm because its ___ stayed close and gave clear commands.
Choose one answer.
A handler is the person who controls and works with an animal. A handle is the part of an object that you hold.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “handler”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.