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left-hander

American  
[left-han-der, -han-] / ˈlɛftˈhæn dər, -ˌhæn- /

noun

  1. a person who is left-handed, especially a baseball pitcher who throws with the left hand.

  2. Informal. a slap or punch delivered with the left hand.


left-hander British  

noun

  1. a blow with the left hand

  2. a left-handed person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of left-hander

First recorded in 1860–65; left-hand + -er 1

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.

Leclerc was 0.289secs off the pace, completing his fastest lap after seven laps on the soft tyre following an off at the tricky Spoon Curve double left-hander.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell threw off the mound for the first time in spring training on Thursday, throwing 15 pitches — all fastballs — sitting between 87 to 89 mph.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

The left-hander played inventive scoops, powerful drives and elegant flicks and when he departed the stage the crowd rose to him.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Now included in that veteran group is left-hander Tanner Scott, who joined the Dodgers before last season on a four-year, $72-million deal.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

Natives understand directness from an Englishman, and can parry it; but from another native it bewilders them, just as a left-handed swordsman is bewildered by another left-hander.

From The Winds of the World by Mundy, Talbot