handedness

IPA/ˈhæn.dɪd.nəs/
KK[hˈændədnəs]IPA/ˈhæn.dɪd.nəs/

handedness — noun

1. 個人習慣使用左手或右手的自然傾向；慣用哪一隻手來執行多數日常動作的特質

1.nounB2
Definition

個人習慣使用左手或右手的自然傾向；慣用哪一隻手來執行多數日常動作的特質

Example

Elena's handedness became obvious when she picked up the pen with her left hand.

possessive + handedness + became obvious + when clause

The teacher provided left-handed scissors for students of any handedness.

for + students of any handedness

Common collocations
  • left-handedness
  • right-handedness
  • mixed handedness
  • cross-dominance
Synonyms
  • hand preference

    more everyday term, often used in casual contexts; 'handedness' is slightly more formal or scientific

  • laterality

    broader term covering hand, foot, eye, and ear preference; much more technical, used mainly in psychology or neurology

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] handedness

Usage Note

Frequently paired with adjectives that specify which hand (left-handedness, right-handedness, mixed-handedness). When referring to a person's trait, 'handedness' is almost always uncountable.

Common Mistakes

He has a handedness of left.
He is left-handed.' or 'His handedness is left.
'handedness' is not used with the article 'a' and 'of'; the natural expression is an adjective form or 'His handedness is left.'
I need to know your handedness preference for the tool.
I need to know your handedness for the tool.
'handedness' already implies preference; adding 'preference' is redundant.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three refer to the tendency to favour one hand, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Handedness' is the standard neutral term used in both everyday and academic contexts — a parent might ask about a child's handedness, and a researcher might publish a paper on it. 'Hand preference' is more concrete and situational: you might observe someone's hand preference while they are cooking or drawing, but it does not typically imply a lifelong trait. 'Laterality' is the most technical of the three; it extends beyond hands to cover foot, eye, and ear dominance and is rarely used outside psychology or neurology. For everyday discussion of being left- or right-handed, 'handedness' is the best choice. For example: 'The questionnaire asked about the handedness of each family member.' 'I noticed his hand preference when he reached for the coffee cup.'

handedness ↗hand preferencelaterality ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • determine handedness
  • assess handedness
  • affect handedness

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English from the adjective 'handed' (meaning 'having a hand or hands', or 'using a particular hand') plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness'. The word 'hand' traces back through Old English 'hand' to the Proto-Germanic 'khanduz'. The specific sense of preferring one hand appeared in the late 1800s, as scientific interest in left- and right-handedness grew.