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.
Garnet Hathaway added a short-handed goal a few minutes later, and Luke Glendening chipped in an empty-netter late in the third. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 Betty was left-handed, Peggy right-handed. John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Their six-game runway into the postseason included wins over short-handed squads and the tanking Utah Jazz, hardly results to write home about with playoff basketball looming. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026 The Chicago Sky could be short-handed to start the season. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 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 Apr. 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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