at hand

Close and available

At hand means nearby or readily available: Keep your notes at hand during the exam.

It also means imminent or approaching: With the deadline at hand, we worked through the night.

The phrase suggests something within reach, whether physically close or temporally near.

available

ready

Suitable for use now

accessibleAble to be reached
within reachClose enough to grasp
nearbyAt small distance

convenient · present · obtainable · close by · reachable · within grasp · near · prepared · equipped · supplied

imminent

approaching

Coming toward something

impendingSoon to occur
loomingAppearing threateningly close
upcomingSoon to occur

nearing · forthcoming · close · soon · brewing · pending · threatening · oncoming · around the corner · in sight

urgent

pressing

Requiring immediate attention

criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
immediateHappening without delay
demandingRequiring great effort

time-sensitive · compelling · exigent · acute · paramount · vital · essential · burning · pivotal · imperative

Categories

closenessclose by, close contact, close-knit, next door, up close
availabilityavailable, unavailable, sold out, in stock, out of stock
nearnessnear, nearby, close, adjacent, next to
proximitynear, close, nearby, nearness, proximity
within reachclose, nearby, near, accessible, reachable
location wordshere, there, where, north, south

Opposites

physical proximity

at handfar away

At considerable distance

distant · remote · out of reach · far off · afar

temporal imminence

at handfar off

At great distance

distant · delayed · remote · down the road · postponed

availability/accessibility

at handunavailable

Cannot be accessed

absent · missing · inaccessible · out of reach · hidden

Family

hand, at, handle, handy, hands, handful, handed, handily, unhandy

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G