right-handed

American  

[rahyt-han-did] / ˈraɪtˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. having the right hand or arm more serviceable than the left; using the right hand by preference.

   a right-handed painter.

2. adapted to or performed by the right hand.

   a right-handed lever; right-handed penmanship.

3. Machinery.

   1. rotating clockwise.

   2. noting a helical, or spiral, member, as a gear tooth or screw thread, that twists clockwise as it recedes from an observer.

4. Building Trades. right-hand.

---

adverb

1. in a right-handed manner or fashion.

   The door opens right-handed.

2. with the right hand.

   She writes right-handed.

3. toward the right hand or in a clockwise direction.

   The strands of the rope are laid right-handed.

right-handed British  

adjective

1. using the right hand with greater skill or ease than the left

2. performed with the right hand

   right-handed writing

3. made for use by the right hand

4. worn on the right hand

5. turning from left to right; clockwise

---

Other Word Forms

• right-handedly adverb
• right-handedness noun

Etymology

Origin of right-handed

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

He prepared to play Shakespeare by writing poetry of his own, and to embody McCartney, the right-handed actor learned to play guitar lefty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

Left-handed or right-handed as the fight demanded, his technical mastery was a constant throughout his career.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

The tubes measure about 230 nm in diameter and are made of 5 to 6 right-handed helical fibers that twist together.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

"The only problem is that I'm a lefty and they're all right-handed guitars."

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025

Felix made a simple right-handed lay-up and passed the ball to Benji.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty