left-hander

American

[left-han-der, -han-] / ˈlɛftˈhæn dər, -ˌhæn- /

noun

a person who is left-handed, especially a baseball pitcher who throws with the left hand.
Informal. a slap or punch delivered with the left hand.

left-hander British

noun

a blow with the left hand
a left-handed person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of left-hander

First recorded in 1860–65; left-hand + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cook never played at the IPL, but when he ended his 161-Test career in 2018, the left-hander held the record for most runs scored by an England batter.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Leclerc was 0.289secs off the pace, completing his fastest lap after seven laps on the soft tyre following an off at the tricky Spoon Curve double left-hander.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell threw off the mound for the first time in spring training on Thursday, throwing 15 pitches — all fastballs — sitting between 87 to 89 mph.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

Referencing one of the most challenging corners at Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Pouhon, the Briton said it would no longer be a case of who is the bravest through the 150mph double left-hander.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

He has a terrific forehand drive that gains in effectiveness owing to the fact he is a left-hander.

From The Art of Lawn Tennis by Tilden, William (Bill) Tatem

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023