short-handed

[shawrt-han-did]

adjective

1. not having the usual or necessary number of workers, helpers, etc.

short-handed

adjective

1. lacking the usual or necessary number of assistants, workers, etc

2. sport with less than the full complement of players

Other Word Forms

• short-handedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of short-handed¹

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

Playing in their second back-to-back of the season, the Lakers will again be short-handed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A yellow card for Japan's Charlie Lawrence left the home side temporarily short-handed and there was more injury woe for Australia when Josh Canham went off following a heavy hit.

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For most teams, playing so much short-handed hockey would be a major disadvantage.

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The trio of Loyd, Gray and Wilson proved too much for a short-handed Sparks squad to handle.

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Chief executive Jeremy Dale pulled pints at the final home game against Mansfield in April, while director Andrew Shanahan jumped behind the bar to help short-handed staff earlier in the season.

Read more on BBC