definitions

dexter

[ dek-ster ]
/ ˈdɛk stər /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dexter ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

on the right side; right.
noting the side of a heraldic shield that is to the right of one who bears it (opposed to sinister).

RELATED CONTENT

Footages, Religiosity, And Other Trending Words On Dictionary.comHalloween. Cardi B. And, of course, the goings on in Washington D.C. They all had an effect on Dictionary.com's trending words list. But, how much and what words? Dig in, and find out!
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

auspicious, advantageous, opportune, benevolent, favorable, encouraging, beneficial, benign, brave, bright, fortunate, happy, hopeful, lucky, pat, promising, prosperous, rosy, seasonable, timely

Nearby words

dexfenfluramine, dexie, dexiocardia, dexiotropic, dexpanthenol, dexter, dexterity, dexterous, dextr-, dextrad, dextral

Origin of dexter

1555–65; < Latin: right, favorable; akin to Gothic taihswa, Old Irish dess, Greek dexiós, Lithuanian dẽšinas, Sanskrit dakṣina

Definition for dexter (2 of 2)

Dexter

[ dek-ster ]
/ ˈdɛk stər /

noun

Also Dex·ter-Ker·ry [dek-ster-ker-ee] /ˈdɛk stərˈkɛr i/. one of a breed of small, hardy, usually black dual-purpose cattle, derived from the Kerry breed of Ireland.
a male given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dexter

British Dictionary definitions for dexter (1 of 3)

dexter

1
/ (ˈdɛkstə) /

adjective

archaic of or located on the right side
(usually postpositive) heraldry of, on, or starting from the right side of a shield from the bearer's point of view and therefore on the spectator's left
Compare sinister

Word Origin for dexter

C16: from Latin; compare Greek dexios on the right hand

British Dictionary definitions for dexter (2 of 3)

dexter

2
/ (ˈdɛkstə) /

noun

a small breed of red or black beef cattle, originally from Ireland

Word Origin for dexter

C19: perhaps from the surname of the original breeder

British Dictionary definitions for dexter (3 of 3)

Dexter

/ (ˈdɛkstə) /

noun

John. 1925–90, British actor and theatre director
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

Word Origin and History for dexter

Dexter

masc. proper name, from Latin dexter "on the right hand" (see dexterity). Cf. also Benjamin.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for dexter

dexter

[ dĕk′stər ]

adj.

Of or located on the right side.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.