single-handedly
Americanadverb
Usage
What does single-handedly mean? Single-handedly means done or accomplished alone—without help from anyone, as in Carol completed the project single-handedly—she did every last thing herself. Single-handedly is the adverb form of the adjective single-handed, which is used to describe something done by one person, as with a single-handed attempt. Single-handed can also be used as an adverb, as in Abdul sailed the boat single-handed. Single-handedly is also used in situations in which someone has done something without help from anyone else even though they were available, as in She single-handedly beat the other team—scoring the final 15 points of the game by herself. Example: Lori single-handedly solved the math equation that had stumped mathematicians for years.
Etymology
Origin of single-handedly
First recorded in 1880–85
Explanation
When you do something single-handedly, you do it on your own, with no help from anyone else. Superheroes are known for single-handedly defeating bad guys. Use the adverb single-handedly when a person achieves something independently, especially when it's especially admirable or difficult. Your mom might have single-handedly raised you and your siblings, or you might try to single-handedly move a dining room table out the front door before your yard sale. Single-handedly comes from the adjective single-handed, or "done without help," and both words have been in use since the early 1700's.
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.
Larry Scott, who single-handedly destroyed the old Pac-12, now vows to work his “magic” on the tennis world.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026
The Spanish superstar's popularity at the US Open might be severely tested if he single-handedly prevents an American having the chance to become the first home men's singles champion in 23 years.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
"Katie won't say this, and I've been holding back from saying this, but single-handedly, Katie Taylor got women's boxing into the Olympics," her manager Brian Peters says.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
In less than a minute, Miles had single-handedly turned a two-point Lynx deficit into a five-point lead.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
Cabot Searcy suddenly found himself consumed by self-important thoughts as to how he could single-handedly save mankind.
From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
