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barehanded

American  
[bair-han-did] / ˈbɛərˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

  1. with hands uncovered.

    He caught the baseball barehanded.

  2. without tools, weapons, or other means.

    foolishly coming barehanded to the besieged city.


barehanded British  
/ ˌbɛəˈhændɪd /

adverb

  1. without weapons, tools, etc

  2. with hands uncovered

"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 barehanded

First recorded in 1400–50, barehanded is from the late Middle English word bare-handyd. See bare 1, handed

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.

Anyone who has pruned tomato plants barehanded has likely found their fingers darkened with a sticky, gold-black substance that won't quite wash off.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

Mr. Moore flattened his empty, barehanded, and high-fived the others.

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2024

The 2022 Gold Glove winner has been stellar at first base in the postseason, including a barehanded grab after a hard grounder by Heim hit first base in Game 2.

From Washington Times • Oct. 31, 2023

The ball was caught barehanded by a man in the second row.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 22, 2023

Ter-night, after I git through showin' the lady around the diggin's, I'll meet you where you say for fun, money or marbles, an' argy with you barehanded.

From Rimrock Trail by Dunn, J. Allan, (Joseph Allan)

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