broad hands

USAGE SUMMARY

"broad hands" is a correct sentence fragment in written English.
You can use it to describe the size of hands, or to comment on their shape. For example, "She had broad hands, perfect for grasping a basketball."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He has long, ropy arms and broad hands.

The New Yorker

Traditionally, federal courts have adopted a broad hands—off attitude toward problems of prison administration.

Cornell University

Jato had few teeth, broad hands, and bushy gray eyebrows, and wore jeans and a lumberjack shirt.

The New Yorker

She had seen his face just 8 to 10 inches from her own, she said, and had noted his height, his broad hands with stubby fingers, his hair.

The New York Times

55 wickets at 23.72* 353 runs at 20.76* Broad, hands together over open mouth, eyes spread so wide in wonder that the whites were showing all around.

The Guardian - Sport

If the Knicks needed a sharp, shiny, reminder of what they are seeking, it was there Tuesday night, at midcourt at American Airlines Center, cupped in Chandler's broad hands.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He stuck out a broad hand.

The New York Times

He bought with a broad hand — by the crate and by the dozen.

The New Yorker

Underneath are broad hand-pulled ribbons that are great for swabbing the tray.

The New York Times - Food

Mr. Bergeret believes in having his cast illustrate almost every word with broad hand and arm movement.

The New York Times - Arts

Owen's father turned to his wife, who was staring listlessly at the ground, placed his broad hand on the small of her back, and moved her through the front door, which he closed behind him, leaving Owen alone in the yard.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's physical appearance, use "broad hands" to convey a sense of strength or a particular build. For example, "The farmer had "broad hands", weathered from years of working the land."

Common error

Avoid using "broad hands" to describe someone's skillset or area of expertise. "Broad hands" refers to physical characteristics, not abstract abilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad hands" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying the noun "hands". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is used to describe a physical characteristic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broad hands" is a grammatically sound and descriptive phrase used to depict hands that are wide or large, often suggesting physical strength or a particular build. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correctly used in written English. While not overly common, it appears in diverse contexts like News & Media, Scientific, and Academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that you are referring to a physical attribute and not a skill. Alternatives such as "large hands" or "wide hands" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large hands

Focuses on the size of the hands, similar to "broad hands".

wide hands

Emphasizes the width of the hands.

expansive hands

Describes hands that cover a large area.

thick hands

Highlights the thickness or robustness of the hands.

sturdy hands

Suggests hands that are strong and well-built.

massive hands

Emphasizes the large size and imposing nature of the hands.

capable hands

Focuses on the skill and ability associated with the hands.

powerful hands

Highlights the strength and force of the hands.

strong hands

Implies the hands possess considerable physical strength.

skilled hands

Focuses on dexterity and expertise.

FAQs

What does "broad hands" mean?

"Broad hands" refers to hands that are wide or have a large surface area. It often suggests strength or a stocky build.

How can I describe hands that are skilled?

Instead of "broad hands", you could use phrases like "skilled hands", "dexterous hands", or "capable hands" to emphasize skill and dexterity.

Is it correct to say "wide hands" instead of "broad hands"?

Yes, "wide hands" is a suitable alternative that conveys a similar meaning, emphasizing the width of the hands.

Can "broad hands" be used metaphorically?

While primarily used to describe physical characteristics, "broad hands" can be used metaphorically to suggest a powerful or encompassing influence, though such usage is less common.