single-handedly

American  

[sing-guhl-han-did-lee] / ˈsɪŋ gəlˈhæn dɪd li /

adverb

1. in a single-handed manner; single-handed.

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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

Related Words

• courageously