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• right hand
  right hand

  noun

  the hand that is on the right side, or the side opposite that where the heart is.
• right-hand
  right-hand

  adjective

  on the right.

right hand

¹ American  

noun

• right hands
  plural

1. the hand that is on the right side, or the side opposite that where the heart is.

2. the right side, as of a person, especially this side considered as the side of precedence or courtesy.

3. a position of honor or special trust.

4. an extremely efficient or reliable person or, sometimes, tool, especially a person considered as one's assistant.

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right-hand ² American  

[rahyt-hand] / ˈraɪtˈhænd /

adjective

1. on the right.

2. of, for, or with the right hand.

3. most reliable, valuable, or useful, as a helper or assistant.

4. plain-laid.

5. Building Trades. Also

   1. (of a door) having the hinges on the right when seen from the exterior of the building, room, closet, etc., to which the doorway leads.

   2. (of a casement sash) having the hinges on the right when seen from inside the window.

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right-hand British  

adjective

1. of, relating to, located on, or moving towards the right

   a right-hand bend

   this car has right-hand drive

2. for use by the right hand; right-handed

3. one's most valuable assistant or supporter

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• right hands
  plural

Etymology

Origin of right hand¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Origin of right-hand²

adj. use of right hand

Explanation

Anything on the right-hand side is on the right. Just add hand if you don’t want people getting it confused with right as in “correct.” Also, your most reliable friend is your right-hand woman (or man). Your car's turn signal may be on the right-hand side of the steering wheel, and your dishwasher might be on the right-hand side of your kitchen sink. In both cases, right-hand describes something located toward the right, or in the direction of your right hand. A right-hand person, on the other hand, is someone you know you can depend on. In the musical "Hamilton," George Washington asks Alexander Hamilton to be his "right-hand man."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right hand right-hand

Kremlev’s right hand at the IBA, Elena Sobol, attended the wedding too.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

When arguing with the prime minister, Mr. Gallant waved his right hand with thumb and index finger extended for emphasis, his eyes lit up with a rare fire.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Eatherly switched the selfie stick to his left hand and put his right hand in his jacket pocket.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026

“That’s why, from an audit standpoint, there should be more scrutiny if you’re doing business with the left hand and the right hand, because it’s easier to manipulate things,” Dubinsky said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

In my right hand I ready a long cord, preparing to plug it into the corresponding jack for whichever telephone number I’m given.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Only Ron Dermer, the prime minister’s right-hand man, came out to meet him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Her reputation as Clark’s right-hand and enforcer spread along with the viral clip.

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026

Secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, Infantino's right-hand man, had been critical in an internal memo to staff, calling the FFE proposals "a sad and reproachable series of events".

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

He moved to the right-hand side of the attack against Egypt.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

Then they crawled up into the right-hand passage.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

• crucial
• fundamental
• imperative
• important
• indispensable
• main
• necessary
• needed
• vital