dextral

dextral — adjective

  • dextralpositive
  • more dextralcomparative
  • most dextralsuperlative

1. located on or related to the right side of something, rather than the left.

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

located on or related to the right side of something, rather than the left.

Example

The dextral wing of the old hospital was rebuilt after the storm.

attributive use before a noun for physical location

Shirin divided the collected shells into two piles according to whether they were dextral or sinistral.

predictive use with 'be', contrasted with sinistral

Common collocations
  • dextral side
  • dextral wing
  • dextral bank
Synonyms
  • right-hand

    more common in everyday English; 'the right-hand side' is preferred over 'the dextral side' in casual speech

  • rightward

    suggests motion or direction toward the right, not static position

Antonyms
  • sinistral

    direct opposite; describes the left side instead

  • left

    the everyday equivalent of sinistral in most contexts

Grammar Patterns

dextral + noun

be dextral

Usage Note

This sense appears mainly in technical or formal descriptions of anatomy, architecture, geography, and biology. It is far less common than its opposite counterpart 'sinistral'.

2. preferring to use the right hand, foot, or eye instead of the left one when perf

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

preferring to use the right hand, foot, or eye instead of the left one when performing tasks.

Example

The research team found that roughly ninety percent of the participants were dextral.

predictive 'be dextral' with statistical context

Asher borrowed a pair of dextral scissors from the art room for the project.

attributive use modifying a tool designed for right-handed users

Common collocations
  • dextral participant
  • dextral individual
  • dextral preference
Synonyms
  • right-handed

    the everyday equivalent; far more common in casual and general writing

  • right-footed

    specifically refers to foot preference rather than general handedness

Antonyms
  • sinistral

    technical opposite; describes preferring the left side

  • left-handed

    the common opposite in daily use

Grammar Patterns

dextral + noun (person)

be dextral

Usage Note

Unlike 'right-handed', which usually refers only to the hand, 'dextral' can also describe a preference for the right foot or right eye. It is more common in academic psychology and sports science writing.

Common Mistakes

She is dextral-handed.
She is dextral.
'dextral' already includes the idea of handedness; adding '-handed' is redundant.

Etymology

First known use

1646

1646, in the meaning defined above