left-handed

adjective

left-hand·​ed ˈleft-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce left-handed (audio)
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
4
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Enter left-handed reliever Backhus, who went undrafted out of college and is now the proud owner of 18 1/3 innings and a pretty nifty K/BB ratio of 20/3. Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 Sanchez, Suarez, and Luzardo throw left-handed, giving the team a luxury unmatched by most other contenders. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 Rosario, who has played only right field for the Yankees so far after splitting time between second and third base with the Washington Nationals this season, should be a factor against left-handed pitchers this week. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025 Ex-Ray Willy Adames singled with one out off the left-handed Montgomery, then stole second ahead of Dominic Smith walking. Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for left-handed

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of left-handed was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Left-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/left-handed. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.

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
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
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
left-handed adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on left-handed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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