Wieldy
What it means
Easy to handle, manage, or use effectively.
Reach for it when describing something easy enough to handle, control, or maneuver
The lighter frame made the rescue stretcher more wieldy.
Words to choose between 5
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
|
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everyday
Fits when size or complexity stays within control
Careful Manageable may still be awkward to carry.
-
warm
Fits when convenient size and usefulness suit informal praise
Careful Handy can mean nearby rather than maneuverable.
-
professional
compact
Fits when small dimensions ease handling or storage
Careful Compact objects can be dense and heavy.
-
professional
Fits when direction can be changed readily
Careful Maneuverability does not imply light weight.
-
formal
Fits when a problem or material responds to control
Careful Tractable can sound cold when applied to a person.
Opposites 3
- unwieldy
- cumbersome
- intractable
Common phrases 3
-
wieldy tool
The wieldy tool reached the narrow joint without tiring the operator.
-
wieldy size
Its wieldy size made the field camera easy to steady.
-
light and wieldy
Light and wieldy, the practice shield suited younger students.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Wieldy is uncommon and often used humorously as the logical opposite of unwieldy; manageable is clearer.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: BirdHopper, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated