two-handed

American  

[too-han-did] / ˈtuˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. having two hands.

2. using both hands equally well; ambidextrous.

3. involving or requiring the use of both hands.

   a two-handed sword; a two-handed backhand.

4. requiring the hands of two persons to operate.

   a two-handed saw.

5. engaged in by two persons.

   a two-handed game.

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two-handed British  

adjective

1. requiring the use of both hands

2. ambidextrous

3. requiring the participation or cooperation of two people

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Other Word Forms

• two-handedly adverb
• two-handedness noun

Etymology

Origin of two-handed

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Australian Jason “Belmo” Belmonte, a dominant force with many titles to his name, pioneered a once-controversial, now common two-handed style.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

He set a hard screen to get Doncic open and then rolled to the basket and took a lob pass from Doncic for a two-handed dunk in the first quarter.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

The 29-year-old, the beaten finalist in 2021, 2022 and 2024, reset and straight away broke back with a terrific two-handed backhand down the line.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

But it instantiates the way the story holds its jumble of optimism and disaster in a firm, two-handed grasp: death and chaos on one side, miracles and blessings on the other.

From Salon • Jan. 8, 2026

Mom had her hair in a ponytail, her mouth was open like she was talking, and she was making a weird two-handed gesture, like she was cradling an imaginary volleyball.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen