left-handed

American  

[left-han-did] / ˈlɛftˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. having the left hand more dominant or effective than the right; preferably using the left hand.

   a left-handed pitcher.

2. adapted to or performed by the left hand.

   a left-handed tool; a left-handed tennis serve.

3. situated on the side of the left hand.

4. Machinery.

   1. rotating counterclockwise.

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

5. Building Trades. left-hand.

6. ambiguous or doubtful and often unfavorable or derogatory by implication.

   a left-handed compliment.

7. clumsy or awkward.

8. of, relating to, or issuing from a morganatic marriage: so called from the custom, in morganatic marriage ceremonies, of having the bridegroom give his left hand to the bride.

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adverb

1. with the left hand.

   He writes left-handed.

2. toward the left hand; in a counterclockwise direction.

   The strands of the rope are laid left-handed.

left-handed British  

adjective

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

2. performed with the left hand

3. designed or adapted for use by the left hand

4. worn on the left hand

5. awkward or clumsy

6. ironically ambiguous

   a left-handed compliment

7. turning from right to left; anticlockwise

8. law another term for morganatic

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adverb

1. with the left hand

Other Word Forms

• left-handedness
  noun
• left-handedly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of left-handed

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at left ¹, handed

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

left-handed

In organic chemistry, this property is known as "chirality", so chiral molecules have both right and left-handed forms.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

The Dodgers are batting .215 through the first two games of the NLDS, with the Atlanta Braves scheduled to pitch left-handed ace Chris Sale in Game 3 on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

The impending return of Sam Curran from a groin injury - who remains important as a left-handed batter and seam-bowling option in the top seven - could also create a squeeze for places.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

He is absurdly fast, sprinting from the left-handed batter’s box to first base in just 3.96 seconds, better than anybody else in MLB.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

In social studies class, she had learned that it was a good thing for warriors to be left-handed.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi