left-handedly

IPA/ˌleftˈhæn.dɪd/
IPA/ˌleftˈhæn.dɪd/

left-handedly — adjective

1. describes a person who naturally prefers their left hand for most everyday tasks

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes a person who naturally prefers their left hand for most everyday tasks, such as writing, cutting, or throwing a ball

Example

Minh is left-handed and finds it easier to write without smudging the ink.

predicative use with 'be' describing a person

The school provided left-handed desks so that Padma could write comfortably in class.

attributive use modifying 'desks'

Common collocations
  • left-handed person
  • left-handed writer
  • left-handed child
  • left-handed student
Synonyms
  • leftie

    informal term commonly used among friends; can be considered mildly teasing

  • southpaw

    informal, originally a baseball term for a left-handed pitcher, now used more broadly but still casual

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be left-handed

a left-handed [noun]

Usage Note

Frequently used with the verb 'be' in the predicative position ('He is left-handed'). This is the most common use of the word and the one learners encounter first.

Common Mistakes

She is left-handedly.
She is left-handed.
'left-handed' is the adjective form for describing a person's handedness; 'left-handedly' is the adverb.

2. made or shaped in a way that is comfortable and practical for a person who uses

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

made or shaped in a way that is comfortable and practical for a person who uses their left hand to operate it

Example

Tomás ordered a left-handed fishing reel online because the standard model felt awkward.

attributive use before 'fishing reel'

The classroom has left-handed scissors with orange handles so the children can find them easily.

attributive use before 'scissors'

Common collocations
  • left-handed scissors
  • left-handed guitar
  • left-handed mouse
  • left-handed notebook
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a left-handed [object]

left-handed [tool/equipment]

Usage Note

Almost always used attributively (before a noun). The noun is typically an object, tool, or piece of equipment that has a handed design.

3. executed by relying on the left hand instead of the right one

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

executed by relying on the left hand instead of the right one

Example

Noor threw a left-handed pass to the striker, surprising the opposing team.

attributive 'left-handed' before 'pass' describing an action

The fencer made a quick left-handed lunge that scored the winning point.

Common collocations
  • left-handed throw
  • left-handed swing
  • left-handed shot
  • left-handed stroke
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a left-handed [action]

left-handed [noun describing action]

Usage Note

Describes the action itself, not the person performing it. Distinguish from sense 1 (which describes the person) and from saying 'with the left hand' (the adverbial equivalent).

Common Mistakes

She made a left-handed shot' (when describing a person who is left-handed).
She, who is left-handed, made a great shot.
the adjective 'left-handed' in sense 3 describes the action, not the person's handedness.

left-handedly — adverb

Word family

  • left-handed
    adjectiveB1
  • left-handedness
    nounB2
  • leftie
    nounB2
  • lefty
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These words all describe a person who prefers the left hand, but they differ in register and context. 'Left-handed' is the neutral, standard term used in formal and informal settings — the safest choice for learners. 'Leftie' (also spelled 'lefty') is informal and can be friendly or mildly teasing depending on tone; it is common in casual conversation ('My brother is a leftie too'). 'Southpaw' began as baseball slang for a left-handed pitcher and later expanded to any left-handed person, but it retains a sporty, informal feel. 'Sinistral' is a technical term from biology and anatomy, rarely used in everyday speech. In practice, 9 out of 10 situations call for 'left-handed'. For example, say 'My teacher is left-handed' in a school essay, but 'My leftie friend plays guitar' among close friends.

left-handed ↗leftiesouthpawsinistral ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • left-handed person
  • left-handed pitcher
  • left-handed writer
  • left-handed scissors
  • left-handed guitar

Adverbs

  • naturally left-handed
  • strongly left-handed
  • exclusively left-handed

Phrases

  • born left-handed
  • left-handed version
  • designed for left-handed people

Prepositions

  • left-handed by nature
  • left-handed in [activity]

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'left-handed' combines 'left' (the side that typically faces north when facing east) with 'hand' and the adjective suffix '-ed'. Old English 'lyft' originally meant 'weak, worthless', and the left hand was historically seen as unlucky or inferior in many cultures. The '-ly' suffix in 'left-handedly' turns the adjective into an adverb, following the common English pattern for forming adverbs from adjectives. The word has been in use since at least the 14th century.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1