Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

handcuffs

/ˈhændˌkʌfs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.21 in modern English

Syllables: hand-cuffs
IPA: /ˈhændˌkʌfs/

21

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A fastening consisting of two metal rings, designed to go around a person's wrists, and connected by a chain or hinge.

noun

Any abstract constraint, such as rules, regulations, or lack of resources.

noun

plural of handcuff

verb

third-person singular simple present indicative of handcuff

Example Sentences

"It was the sergeant who had spoken to me, and he was now looking round at the company, with his handcuffs invitingly extended towards them in his right hand, and his left on my shoulder."
"Security is tight inside and outside the building, guarded by a bewildering collection of soldiers, policemen and gendarmes. Relatives watch as prisoners in handcuffs and leg irons shuffle past."
"They complained that their rules of engagement were handcuffs that guaranteed counterproductivity."

Etymology

1775, from hand + cuff (“end of shirtsleeve”). Possibly influenced by Old English handcops, from hand + cops (“fetter, chains”), but due to lack of continuity (centuries between Old English and modern term), generally analyzed as a re-invention.

Origin

Source language: Old English

Word Breakdown

Root: handcops

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Law.

Phrases

Chinese handcuffs digital handcuffs golden handcuffs velvet handcuffs

Frequently Paired Words

handcuff shackles straitjacket

Synonyms

manacles shackles

Questions

How do you pronounce handcuffs?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhændˌkʌfs/.
What does handcuffs mean?: A fastening consisting of two metal rings, designed to go around a person's wrists, and connected by a chain or hinge.
Where does handcuffs come from?: It is traced to Old English.

How to pronounce handcuffs

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “handcuffs”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈhændˌkʌfs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “handcuffs”.
Repeat and practice — Say “handcuffs” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.