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

Facing their first left-handed starting pitcher in a week, the Padres are sitting Jackson Merrill and giving Xander Bogaerts his first start of the season in the leadoff spot. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026

Only Yordan Alvarez and Jo Adell have hit more home runs against left-handed pitching. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 May 2026

As if on cue, Watson pointed to the example of the left-handed-hitting Caglianone’s double in the left-center gap the night before. —Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026

Houston’s offense ranked eighth in the majors in batting average and sixth in slugging against left-handed pitching. —Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 May 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