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

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been lobbying for two members of his pitching staff to be named replacement players: left-handed starter Justin Wrobleski and left-handed reliever Tanner Scott.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

"They are mirror images of each other, but you need a different glove for each. If you had two left-handed gloves, it wouldn't work because your hands can't be superimposed on top of one another."

From Science Daily • Jul. 6, 2026

Make everything as usable for left-handed people as is it for right-handed people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

Week by week, freshman left-handed pitcher Sheriff Hall of Loyola High has gotten better and better.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

Felix dribbled across the key and sank a left-handed hook shot.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty