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

Harvey scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting, including a brilliant left-handed reverse layup off one of his three offensive rebounds, and had two steals and an assist. —Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026

The Pirates are banking on Ozuna figuring it out to give a left-handed dominant lineup a little balance. —CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters at the Winter Meetings in December that Rice could see more at-bats against left-handed pitching this season. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026

But the Dodgers have five left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster even after DFA-ing Banda – Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Justin Wrobleski, Jack Dreyer and Ronan Kopp (added to the 40-man roster in November). —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 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