the hand that is on the right side, or the side opposite that where the heart is.
the right side, as of a person, especially this side considered as the side of precedence or courtesy.
a position of honor or special trust.
an extremely efficient or reliable person or, sometimes, tool, especially a person considered as one's assistant.
on the right.
of, for, or with the right hand.
most reliable, valuable, or useful, as a helper or assistant.
Building Trades. Also
(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.
(of a casement sash) having the hinges on the right when seen from inside the window.
of, relating to, located on, or moving towards the right
a right-hand bend
this car has right-hand drive
for use by the right hand; right-handed
one's most valuable assistant or supporter
before 1000; Middle English; Old English
adj. use of right hand
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."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
King’s right hand delivers the ball at 100 mph and his left hand at 90 mph.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026
Then came a Wilder right hand in the eighth - the punch responsible for most of his 43 knockouts in 44 previous wins.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
She stepped down as attorney general, but amassed even greater influence as Maduro’s right hand, able to direct policy and distribute favors without restriction.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026
Stylists are the consigliere, the therapist and the trusted right hand of any Oscar nominee.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026
And I gave him the Vulcan salute, which was just the four fingers on my right hand making a V. It was from an old TV show that Erlan’s dad liked.
From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
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.
