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

• 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

Matos, 23, made the Opening Day roster but has spent most of the season as a platoon bat against left-handed pitching behind Mike Yastrzemski. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025

According to Cubs manager Craig Counsell via Marquee Sports' Bruce Levine, Alcántara will be the starting centerfielder for Chicago against select left-handed pitching. —Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

Cooper initially thought mirror bacteria would eventually die off due to a lack of food, but there are enough molecules that are neither right-handed or left-handed to sustain them. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025

Caglianone and Jensen also bat left-handed, as does veteran outfielder Mike Yastrzemski. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2025

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