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-handedly
  adverb
• left-handedness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of left-handed

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

Example Sentences

They also tend to aggregate within the same group, so there’s a good chance the groups of by-the-wind sailors washing up on shore in recent days are mostly all right or left handed.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2023

Young, who hits left handed and throws right handed, hit .428 for North Allegheny, but he really elevated in summer showcase circuit in 2021.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2022

Meanwhile, as far as creativity goes, a 2019 survey found that left handed people think they’re more creative, but they didn’t spend "significantly more time on artistic pursuits" than right handed people, Fast Company reported.

From Fox News • Aug. 13, 2021

Recently, she came to visit my home, and, before she left, handed me an envelope.

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2021

Her mother was left handed and had wrapped clockwise.

From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin