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

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

Read more on Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Jackson not only left Chelsea short-handed at Newcastle, he will now miss those pivotal final games that could shape so many futures at Stamford Bridge.

Read more on BBC

Nearly two months later, Bronny was scoring 17 in a short-handed loss to Milwaukee, quietly handling his rare success with humility and grace, cementing what everyone had come to believe.

Read more on Los Angeles Times