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

• awkward
• butterfingered
• cack-handed [British]
• clumsy
• graceless
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed
• handless
• heavy-handed
• maladroit
• unhandy

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

Madison Bumgarner, a left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants whose postseason dominance has become an integral part of his legacy, shut out the Mets in a masterpiece over 119 pitches at Citi Field. —Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Joc Pederson At the top: Of the left-handed Pederson’s 23 homers in 449 plate appearances, 22 came off right-handers, for a .531 slugging percentage with the platoon advantage. —Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 14 Oct. 2024

That left the Dodgers with only one left-handed reliever in the bullpen and outfielder Tommy Edman playing short. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2024

With him off the roster, the Dodgers will have just one left-handed pitcher (Anthony Banda) active for the NLCS. —Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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