# handle vs handset

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### handle
*noun · IPA /ˈhæn.d(ə)l/ · frequency rank #1,695*
The part of an object which is (designed to be) held in the hand when used or moved.

### handset
*noun · IPA /ˈhæn(d)sɛt/ · frequency rank #26,453*
The part of a landline telephone containing both receiver and transmitter (and sometimes dial), held in the hand.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/handle-vs-handset