adjective
Common
handed
HAN-dihd
Handed (adjective) means having a specified number or kind of hands, especially used in compounds like left-handed or right-handed. Example: “He's left-handed, so he writes at an angle.”
adjective
1
Having a specified number or kind of hands, especially used in compounds like left-handed or right-handed.
"He's left-handed, so he writes at an angle."
"Most scissors are made for right-handed people, which annoys my left-handed sister."
"Lifting the heavy box was a two-handed job."
2
Given or passed by hand, as in "handed a document."
"She was handed the award in front of the whole company."
"The receptionist smiled as the visitors were handed their badges at the desk."
"Having been handed the keys, she opened the door and walked in."
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He's left-_____, so he writes at an angle.
Etymology
From hand + the suffix -ed.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for handed
See all rhymes for handed →Frequently asked questions
What does “handed” mean?
The word “handed” means having a specified number or kind of hands, especially used in compounds like left-handed or right-handed.
How do you pronounce “handed”?
“Handed” is pronounced HAN-dihd (/ˈhændəd/ in IPA).
How do you use “handed” in a sentence?
Here is “handed” used in a sentence: “He's left-handed, so he writes at an angle.”
What part of speech is “handed”?
“Handed” is an adjective.
Is “handed” a common word?
“Handed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “handed” have?
“Handed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a specified number or kind of hands, especially used in compounds like left-handed or right-handed.
What does '-handed' mean in words like left-handed and right-handed?
Here '-handed' shows which hand a person favors or how hands are involved. 'Left-handed' means preferring the left hand for tasks like writing; 'right-handed' means preferring the right. The ending attaches to a describing word to say something about a person's hands or how they use them.
What are some examples of words using 'handed'?
Besides 'left-handed' and 'right-handed,' common examples include 'two-handed' (needing both hands), 'empty-handed' (carrying nothing), 'heavy-handed' (harsh or clumsy), 'even-handed' (fair), and 'single-handed' (done alone). In each, 'handed' combines with another word to describe how hands are used, literally or figuratively.
Is being left-handed or right-handed genetic?
Hand preference is partly inherited but not fully determined by genes. Most people — about nine in ten — are right-handed, and left-handedness tends to run in families. Scientists believe a mix of genetic and developmental factors shapes which hand becomes dominant, though no single 'handedness gene' explains it.
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