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 Soto, 26, is a left-handed hitter coming off a career-best 41-homer season for the Yankees. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Both of his parents went to great lengths to protect the right-handed first baseman’s unique left-handed swing. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 With two outs, two men on and first base open, Yankees manager Aaron Boone elected to intentionally walk the right-handed-hitting Betts, figuring the left-handed Cortes would have a better chance of registering the final out of the game against the left-handed-hitting Freeman. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024 Cortes hadn’t pitched since September 18 after suffering a left elbow flexor strain, but was brought in to challenge the Dodgers’ left-handed pair of Ohtani and Freeman. Issy Ronald, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for left-handed 

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 4 Nov. 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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