right-handed

American  

[rahyt-han-did] / ˈraɪtˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. having the right hand or arm more serviceable than the left; using the right hand by preference.

   a right-handed painter.

2. adapted to or performed by the right hand.

   a right-handed lever; right-handed penmanship.

3. Machinery.

   1. rotating clockwise.

   2. noting a helical, or spiral, member, as a gear tooth or screw thread, that twists clockwise as it recedes from an observer.

4. Building Trades. right-hand.

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adverb

1. in a right-handed manner or fashion.

   The door opens right-handed.

2. with the right hand.

   She writes right-handed.

3. toward the right hand or in a clockwise direction.

   The strands of the rope are laid right-handed.

right-handed British  

adjective

1. using the right hand with greater skill or ease than the left

2. performed with the right hand

   right-handed writing

3. made for use by the right hand

4. worn on the right hand

5. turning from left to right; clockwise

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Other Word Forms

• right-handedness
  noun
• right-handedly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of right-handed

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right-handed

With two outs in the sixth inning, he lined a splitter from Marlins right-handed reliever Jack Ralston off the wall in right-center field for a double.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

That physical constraint causes the growing body to buckle and twist into a right-handed coil.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026

"I thought, well, which limb am I willing to lose? I'm right-handed, so I decided let's do a left hook," she recounted.

From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026

"I'm right-handed, so I thought 'let's do a left hook'," she said.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

She thought of switching to her left hand, but because she was right-handed she was afraid she might spill the sauce with her left hand, which could enrage Count Olaf again.

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket