handed

1 of 2

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

handed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of hand entry 2

Examples of handed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Sadiq had seven receptions for 105 yards and the score, a boost for a short-handed receiving corps. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

The crook, wearing a green Nike Tech sweatsuit, fled empty handed west on 35th Ave. — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Grace Anderson is right-handed, and Kristen Anderson is left-handed. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Because sweepers can be more effective against same-handed hitters, Dzierwa uses the shorter, tighter gyro-slider more frequently against righties and the sweeper more against lefties. — Andrea Arcadipane, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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