ambidextrous
Americanadjective
-
able to use both hands equally well.
an ambidextrous surgeon.
-
unusually skillful; facile.
an ambidextrous painter, familiar with all media.
-
double-dealing; deceitful.
-
Slang. bisexual.
adjective
-
equally expert with each hand
-
informal highly skilled or adept
-
underhanded; deceitful
Other Word Forms
- ambidexterity noun
- ambidextrously adverb
- ambidextrousness noun
- pseudoambidextrous adjective
- pseudoambidextrously adverb
Etymology
Origin of ambidextrous
First recorded in 1640–50; ambidext(e)r + -ous
Explanation
Ambidextrous people have the ability to use both hands with equal dexterity. But the ambidextrous probably prefer to write with their right hands, since lefties always smudge what they've written as they drag their hand across the page. Coming from the Latin word ambidexter, which means “right-handed on both sides,” ambidextrous describes someone who can use either hand to write, swing a bat or catch a ball. Lucky ducks. In a broader sense ambidextrous means "facile" or "skillful." But when it first came into use in the 1530's, ambidextrous had more sinister connotations with the practice of deceitful double-dealing.
Vocabulary lists containing ambidextrous
To Kill a Mockingbird
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Don't Distress: Words With Irregular Opposites
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The lead swapping hands faster than an ambidextrous dog-walker?
From BBC • Feb. 8, 2025
What the ambidextrous Mara showed Friday was his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways, with one exception.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 23, 2024
Among them will be John Catsimatidis, a grocery store magnate who has historically been a politically ambidextrous donor, but who had a long history with Mr. Trump.
From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2023
If he decides to sign, he could follow Pat Venditte’s path as an ambidextrous big league hurler.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 19, 2022
Monica Fassbinder’s ambidextrous generosity was legendary in Burnt Mill Creek, but as far as I knew, it began and ended at Cade Hernandez.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
