handed

adjective

hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce handed (audio)
Synonyms of handednext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mikheyev should be good for anywhere between 10 to 20 goals, including the odd one short-handed. Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 23 June 2026 The utilityman has made only three career major league starts in right field, but the other two options at the position for the Mets are left-handed, Brett Baty and Jared Young, and the Mets wanted to stack the lineup with right-handers against Sanchez. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026 Even-handed, compassionate, and as suffocatingly tense as a hangman's noose, Munich is Spielberg's most underrated film. Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026 Featuring hardy rubber, this hopper ball can be used indoors or outdoors and comes with a double-handed pump. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for handed

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of handed was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handed. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

handed

adjective
hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce handed (audio)
: having or using such or so many hands
a right-handed person
handedness noun

Medical Definition

handed

adjective
hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce handed (audio)
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

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