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

Liberty’s left-handed ace David Roberts had a rough afternoon, yielding six runs in four innings. —Mike Lefkow, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024

Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez hit his fourth home run of the season off Royals left-handed starting pitcher Cole Ragans. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2024

The blades are crafted from durable tungsten carbide, and the sharpener comes with an ergonomic handle that fits in either hand, so both right- and left-handed cooks can easily use it. —Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 5 May 2024

The Marlins’ lineup gave its pitching more than enough run support in a rare strong outing against a left-handed starting pitcher by scoring five runs in seven innings off Braves southpaw Chris Sale. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2024

Donning his Sun Day Red apparel – released in collaboration with TaylorMade – at Augusta National, Woods rolled back the years at various points, starting with an audacious left-handed chip to escape the trees on Thursday. —Jack Bantock, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Its pistol-grip design feels comfortable, and the central throttle control accommodates both right- and left-handed users. —Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024

Arkansas used five pitchers, with left-handed starter Colin Fisher (6-1), Koty Frank and Parker Coil working more than one inning, and Jake Faherty and Cooper Dossett pitching an inning each. —Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024

The most spectacular defensive play was turned in by left-handed Valley Christian left fielder Hunter Fujimoto, who reached across his body to make a diving catch in left-center for the third out in the top of the fourth. —Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 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