handed

American  

[han-did] / ˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. having or involving a hand or hands (usually used in combination).

   two-handed backhand; a four-handed piano work.

2. using a particular hand (usually used in combination).

   right-handed.

3. having, requiring, or with the number of people, workers, or players indicated (usually used in combination).

   a three-handed game of poker.

4. manned; staffed (usually used in combination).

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-handed British  

adjective

1. having a hand or hands as specified

   broad-handed

   a four-handed game of cards

2. made as specified for either left- or right-hand operation or positioning

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Etymology

Origin of handed

First recorded in 1520–30; hand + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Warren 5, La Mirada 1: The Bears handed a rare league defeat to La Mirada.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Participants were handed a faixa—a long sash to wrap around their waists to protect their spines and give climbers a toehold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The battered wooden trunk had been in the family for a century -- shifted from attic to barn to garage as it was handed down through the generations.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

And just over half of the executions were based on sentences handed down by Revolutionary Courts after what the NGOs describe as "grossly unfair trials and without due process".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

I ran my hand down in my pocket, pulled out my money, and handed it to Grandpa.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls