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• right hand
  right hand

  noun

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

  adjective

  on the right.

right hand

¹ American  

noun

• right hands
  plural

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.

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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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• right hands
  plural

Etymology

Origin of right hand¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Origin of right-hand²

adj. use of right hand

Explanation

Anything on the right-hand side is on the right. Just add hand if you don’t want people getting it confused with right as in “correct.” Also, your most reliable friend is your right-hand woman (or man). Your car's turn signal may be on the right-hand side of the steering wheel, and your dishwasher might be on the right-hand side of your kitchen sink. In both cases, right-hand describes something located toward the right, or in the direction of your right hand. A right-hand person, on the other hand, is someone you know you can depend on. In the musical "Hamilton," George Washington asks Alexander Hamilton to be his "right-hand man."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right hand right-hand

Kremlev’s right hand at the IBA, Elena Sobol, attended the wedding too.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

Garcia's left hook had been widely considered his most dangerous weapon before the fight, but it was a right hand which eventually sent Benn to the canvas.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

When arguing with the prime minister, Mr. Gallant waved his right hand with thumb and index finger extended for emphasis, his eyes lit up with a rare fire.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Eatherly switched the selfie stick to his left hand and put his right hand in his jacket pocket.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026

There it was, on the boy’s right hand: a sparkling red ring.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Gehry set out to create an immersive hall that would inspire artists and envelop the audience, said Meaghan Lloyd, his chief of staff and right-hand at his firm, Gehry Partners.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

In the fifth round, the champion landed a powerful right-hand punch that knocked Pantoja down.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026

Only Ron Dermer, the prime minister’s right-hand man, came out to meet him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Her reputation as Clark’s right-hand and enforcer spread along with the viral clip.

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026

The town was a thin crescent on the right-hand shore, with wharves extending into the water and a cruise ship in the harbor.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• crucial
• fundamental
• imperative
• important
• indispensable
• main
• necessary
• needed
• vital