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.
The Giants hope there will plenty of splash hits over the course of Rafael Devers’ nine years at Oracle Park, and the left-handed slugger started the count Wednesday night with a towering shot that barely made it to the water. Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025 Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt then inserted left-handed pinch hitter Daniel Schneemann, who singled to left to give the Guardians a 5-2 lead. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025 For example, Joc Pederson, a left-handed DH, and a recent World Series winner in Los Angeles and Atlanta, signed with Texas this past winter for two years at $37 million heading into his age 33 season. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 22 Sep. 2025 And Vásquez walked Pete Alonso immediately before Shildt emerged from the dugout to insert Peralta, a lefty, to face the left-handed-hitting Nimmo. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 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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