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 of left-handed

• clumsy
• awkward
• butterfingered
• handless

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

But just a really valuable piece to either come off the bench in a high-leverage spot or also potentially start against left-handed pitching. —CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Coming into the offseason last fall, the Mets were already imagining what the team would look like with Benge’s left-handed bat in the lineup and his powerful right arm in the outfield. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026

Veteran Miguel Rojas is expected to play second against left-handed pitching. —Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026

Devers and Eldridge are an imperfect duo, a pair of left-handed hitting sluggers with minimal defensive versatility. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for left-handed

• backhanded
• commanded
• demanded
• disbanded
• expanded
• misbranded
• remanded
• unbranded
• banded
• branded
• candid
• handed

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