1 A2 neutral
To offer or pass something, such as food or drink, to each person in a group.
"She handed round a plate of biscuits while everyone waited for the meeting to start."
separable
hand round
A2 neutral separable transitive
To offer or pass something to each person in a group in turn.
In plain English
To give everyone in the group a look at or a piece of something by passing it around.
What does "hand round" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To circulate a document or object so each person can see or take it.
"The teacher handed round the photographs so the whole class could look at them."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use your hand to move something around a circle of people.
Actually means
To give everyone in the group a look at or a piece of something by passing it around.
Usage tip
Predominantly British English. Very common in social and domestic settings — handing round drinks, biscuits, or photographs. In American English, 'pass around' or 'hand out' would be used instead.
Words that pair with "hand round"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
drinks biscuits photographs leaflets sandwiches copies
How to conjugate "hand round"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hand round
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hands round
he/she/it
Past simple
handed round
yesterday
Past participle
handed round
have + pp
-ing form
handing round
continuous
Hear "hand round" in the wild
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Other ways to say "hand round"
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