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Synonyms

right hand

1 American  

noun

  1. the hand that is on the right side, or the side opposite that where the heart is.

  2. the right side, as of a person, especially this side considered as the side of precedence or courtesy.

  3. a position of honor or special trust.

  4. an extremely efficient or reliable person or, sometimes, tool, especially a person considered as one's assistant.

right-hand 2 American  
[rahyt-hand] / ˈraɪtˈhænd /

adjective

  1. on the right.

  2. of, for, or with the right hand.

  3. most reliable, valuable, or useful, as a helper or assistant.

  4. plain-laid.

  5. Building Trades. Also

    1. (of a door) having the hinges on the right when seen from the exterior of the building, room, closet, etc., to which the doorway leads.

    2. (of a casement sash) having the hinges on the right when seen from inside the window.

right-hand British  

adjective

  1. of, relating to, located on, or moving towards the right

    a right-hand bend

    this car has right-hand drive

  2. for use by the right hand; right-handed

  3. one's most valuable assistant or supporter

"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

Etymology

Origin of right hand1

before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Origin of right-hand2

adj. use of right hand

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The philosopher catches our eye and gestures toward us with the right hand that rests on the air pump.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

“His power comes from the fact that he’s been sitting right there at the right hand of his father for decades,” says Graeme Wood, a staff writer at the Atlantic.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

"Ghislaine was a point of contact, and definitely, she put me in touch with Doug Band, who was the right hand of President Clinton," he told the BBC.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

The AI-enhanced image also led some social media users to falsely claim the object in Pretti's right hand was a weapon, but analysis of the verified footage showed he was holding a phone.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

It’s how I became his right hand in terms of managing all things marina.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.