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

Recent Examples on the Web The primary four players for spots 2-5 include (in no particular order) first baseman Josh Bell (switch-hitter), third baseman Jake Burger (right-handed hitter), center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (left-handed hitter) and shortstop Tim Anderson (right-handed hitter). Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Reuss was a left-handed pitcher who played for eight teams over 22 Major League Baseball seasons. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 One of the game’s top left-handed relievers, Smith is the only player in the history of Major League Baseball to win a trio of titles in consecutive seasons while wearing a different uniform each time. Scott Sandulli, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2024 There’s also a left-handed version for the south-paw-specific users. Kyle Barr / Gizmodo, Quartz, 27 Feb. 2024 Muller didn’t get a chance face the Dodgers’ newest big left-handed bat, Shohei Ohtani, who has yet to make his spring debut. Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 In Wednesday’s session, Ohtani worked a swing-less walk against reliever Daniel Hudson, then hit a ground ball to second base against left-handed swingman Ryan Yarbrough. Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Ryan Weathers gets first spring start Marlins manager Skip Schumaker on Wednesday announced that left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers will start Miami’s first spring training on Saturday. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024 But after being added to the 40-man roster over the winter, and being one of only four left-handed relievers in camp, there’s a good chance the Stanford product won’t have to wait much longer. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'left-handed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near left-handed

Cite this Entry

“Left-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/left-handed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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