handed

adjective

hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd 

1

: having a hand or hands especially of a specified kind or number

—usually used in combination

a large-handed man

2

: using a specified hand or number of hands

—used in combination

right-handed

a one-handed catch

Examples of handed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alex Laferriere had a short-handed goal and Kevin Fiala scored on the power play for the Kings. —CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025

The Flames spent eight of the opening 20 minutes playing short-handed, which allowed the Wild to enjoy decided advantages in shots and in possession time but not on the scoreboard, as the Calgary penalty kill was perfect. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Dec. 2025

Jennings threw several open-handed punches after the game, which led to him being fined $12,172 by the league. —Sam Jane, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

Jalen Johnson will test Denver’s short-handed frontcourt. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing handed

• bare-handed
• cack-handed
• empty-handed
• four-handed
• ham-handed
• heavy-handed
• high-handed
• left-handed
• light-handed
• one-handed
• red-handed
• right-handed
• single-handed
• sure-handed
• three-handed
• two-handed

Rhymes for handed

• banded
• branded
• candid
• landed
• sanded
• stranded
• backhanded
• commanded
• demanded
• disbanded
• expanded
• misbranded

Kids Definition

handed

adjective

hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd 

: having or using such or so many hands

a right-handed person

handedness noun

Medical Definition

handed

adjective

hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd 

1

: having a hand or hands especially of a specified kind or number

—usually used in combination

a large-handed man

2

: using a specified hand or number of hands

—used in combination

right-handed