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

The Flyers allowed their fifth short-handed goal of the season. —CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Missing most of the same players who sat out that overtime upset of the 76ers earlier this month, Denver pulled off another short-handed heist Friday with a 102-100 win over the Bucks. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026

Ryan Poehling scored short-handed, Chris Kreider added a power-play goal and Mintyukov banked in a long empty-netter. —Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026

Minnesota could potentially be very short-handed at the season’s outset if the 2026 campaign starts on time. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026

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