left-handed

[left-han-did]

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.

adverb

1. with the left leave left hand.

   He writes left-handed.

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

   The strands of the rope are laid left-handed.

left-handed

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

adverb

1. with the left hand

Other Word Forms

• left-handedly adverb
• left-handedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of left-handed¹

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

Example Sentences

The Blue Jays’ one big bullpen weakness is its lack of dominant left-handed depth.

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England bowled too wide to the left-handed opener, who scored heavily on the off-side, but the biggest difference between India and England's other opponents so far is that they do not fear Sophie Ecclestone.

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His majestic left-handed swing had tortured pitchers in his home country.

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The left-handed Campbell moved from his overnight 87 to reach his century with a six off Jadeja.

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The left-handed former first-round draft pick was only 27 and an established member of the Angels starting rotation when he died.

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