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

Second base became a glaring question-mark when the Mets lost McNeil, a solid left-handed hitter who once led the National League in hitting. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024

Shortly before first pitch of Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs, the team announced that key left-handed reliever Anthony Banda was on the injured list with a fractured left hand. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024

The two holes also make this indoor green ideal for both right-handed and left-handed golfers. —Tim Chan, Variety, 16 Aug. 2024

With the faint hope of possibly catching the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles in the American League East, the Boston Red Sox added to their pitching depth by trading for left-handed starter James Paxton. —Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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