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

The left-handed-hitting outfielder has hit 14 homers against righties, 13 at home and eight at home against right-handed pitching. — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Minter, 32, has been one of the best late-game left-handed relievers for nearly a decade, wielding a hard fastball and one of baseball’s best cutters. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 31 July 2026

The loss marked the fifth straight against a left-handed opener for Pittsburgh, while Diamondbacks starters gave up zero earned runs in 20 2/3 innings pitched this series. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

The Angels were facing a right-handed pitcher on Friday night, so Suzuki wanted the left-handed bat of switch-hitting catcher Tyler Heineman in the lineup. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 25 July 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