left-handed

adjective

left-hand·​ed ˈleft-ˈhan-dəd 

ˈlef-ˈtan-

1

: using the left hand habitually or more easily than the right

also : swinging from left to right

a left-handed batter

2

: relating to, designed for, or done with the left hand

3

: morganatic

4

a

: clumsy, awkward

b

: insincere, backhanded, dubious

a left-handed compliment

5

a

: having a direction contrary to that of the hands of a watch viewed from in front : counterclockwise

b

: having a spiral structure or form that ascends or advances to the left

a left-handed rope

6

: having or being the L-form molecular structure

left-handed adverb

left-handedly adverb

left-handedness noun

Synonyms

• awkward
• butterfingered
• cack-handed [British]
• clumsy
• graceless
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed
• handless
• heavy-handed
• maladroit
• unhandy

Examples of left-handed in a Sentence

I'd rather have no help at all than have his left-handed "assistance"

failed to realize that he had received a left-handed compliment

Recent Examples on the Web

Gose played the outfield for the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers from 2012-2016, then became a left-handed reliever and worked his way back up through the minors, pausing along the way to win a silver medal with Team USA in the 2021 Summer Olympics. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

Here are a few observations from the MLB Spring Breakout Game... Royals use three pitchers The Royals showcased Cameron alongside left-handed pitcher Frank Mozzicato and right-hander Luinder Avila. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025

The left-handed swinger, who has started eight total games this spring, is hitting .364 with three homers, six RBI and a 1.209 OPS. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025

James Harden hit a floater with 11.9 seconds left to force overtime and Kawhi Leonard made a left-handed hook shot at the buzzer to give the Clippers a 111-110 victory Sunday evening at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for left-handed

• backhanded
• commanded
• demanded
• disbanded
• expanded
• misbranded
• remanded
• unbranded
• banded
• branded
• candid
• handed

Kids Definition

left-handed

adjective

left-hand·​ed

ˈleft-ˈhan-dəd

1

: using the left hand more easily than the right

2

: relating to, designed for, or done with the left hand

3

: backhanded sense 2

4

: going in or involving a counterclockwise direction

a left-handed screw

left-handed adverb

left-handedly adverb

left-handedness noun

left-hander

-ˈhan-dər

noun

Medical Definition

left-handed

adjective

left-hand·​ed ˈleft-ˈhan-dəd, ˈlef-ˈtan- 

1

: using the left hand habitually or more easily than the right

2

: relating to, designed for, or done with the left hand

3

: having a direction contrary to that of movement of the hands of a watch viewed from in front

4

: levorotatory

left-handed adverb