single-handed

American  

[sing-guhl-han-did] / ˈsɪŋ gəlˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. accomplished or done by one person alone.

   a single-handed victory; single-handed sailing.

2. by one's own effort; unaided.

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adverb

1. by oneself; alone; without aid.

   He built the garage single-handed.

single-handed British  

adjective

1. unaided or working alone

   a single-handed crossing of the Atlantic

2. having or operated by one hand or one person only

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Usage

What does single-handed mean? Single-handed is used to describe something done or accomplished alone—without help from anyone, as in a single-handed attempt.It can also be used as an adverb meaning the same thing as single-handedly, as in Carol completed the project single-handed—she did every last thing herself. Single-handed is also used in situations in which someone has done something without help from anyone else even though they were available, as in She beat the other team single-handed—scoring the final 15 points of the game by herself. Example: This usually takes three or four people, so how did you manage to do it single-handed?

Other Word Forms

• single-handedly adverb
• single-handedness noun

Etymology

Origin of single-handed

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

The air fryer is not only a functional, super-convenient surprise, but it also has single-handedly reversed my long-held opinion about leftovers.

From Salon

Elinor’s single-handed battle against the coldblooded gang is tied to this novel’s timely theme: how men have always underestimated women and how women have used that to their advantage.

From Washington Post

Within two years he was running it single-handed.

From BBC

Trump was begging for credit as the man who single-handedly invented them.

From Salon

He projects himself as a tough leader, casting his critics and opponents as criminals whom he is fighting single-handedly.

From Washington Post