short-handed

[ shawrt-han-did ]

adjective

1. not having the usual or necessary number of workers, helpers, etc.

short-handed

adjective

1. lacking the usual or necessary number of assistants, workers, etc
2. sport with less than the full complement of players

Derived Forms

• ˌshort-ˈhandedness, noun

Other Words From

• short-handed·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of short-handed¹

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

That stuff can sometimes be short-handed to "white," but at the speaker's peril.

From The Daily Beast

And because the immigration inspector rejected Kahtani, United Airlines Flight 93 was short-handed on 9/11.

From The Daily Beast

You will be short-handed; I cannot spare enough men from the ships on this station to make up a full complement.

From Project Gutenberg

It happened that the College in Beirut was short-handed that year, and in need of an additional teacher.

From Project Gutenberg

"And she'll be rather short-handed for men," observed Donovan.

From Project Gutenberg

They knew well that we were short-handed just now, and thought to take advantage of us; but hah!

From Project Gutenberg

Studding-sails are rather ungainly things to handle in a quickly freshening breeze, if one happens to be at all short-handed.

From Project Gutenberg