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

• awkward
• butterfingered
• cack-handed [British]
• clumsy
• graceless
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed
• handless
• heavy-handed
• maladroit
• unhandy

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

This isn't exactly news, but Alvarez is one of baseball's left-handed hitters, a perennial All-Star with four seasons with an OPS+ at least 70 percent above league average. —Michael Shapiro, Chron, 23 Sep. 2024

Additionally, the Dodgers selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Zach Logue and transferred right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow to the 60-day IL in order to make room for Logue. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024

In addition to getting another left-handed bat in the lineup against tough Padres righty Dylan Cease, the Giants wanted to maximize their infield defense behind Logan Webb, one of the most effective pitchers in the majors at keeping the ball on the ground. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2024

Veteran righty Adam Ottavino had good splits against left-handed hitters last season, but the pitcher who struggled throughout much of his career against lefties is once again getting hit by them. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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