handedness

H4A1N1D2E1D2N1E1S1S1
UK/ˈhændɪdnəs/

noun

A preference (usually innate) for using one hand rather than the other.

Similar
chiralitylaterality
OriginEnglish handed ← Middle English hond ← Old English hand →
UncommonScrabble 15
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Meanings

nounhandedness (countable and uncountable, plural handednesses)

plural handednesses

  1. countableuncountableA preference (usually innate) for using one hand rather than the other.
  2. countableuncountablechemistryThe property that distinguishes an asymmetric object from its mirror image. For example, the essential difference between a left and right glove.

    Synonyms: chirality

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe property that distinguishes an asymmetric object from its mirror image. For example, the essential difference between a left and right glove.

Similar
chirality

More synonyms by meaning

nounthe property of using one hand more than the other

Similar
laterality
Broader
asymmetry
Also see
chiralitylaterality

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Germanic*handuz
  2. Proto-West Germanic*handu
  3. Old Englishhand
  4. Middle Englishhond
  5. Englishhand
  6. Englishhanded
  7. Englishhandedness

From handed + -ness.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish kätisyys, kätisyys
  • kätisyyspreference for using the right or left hand
  • kätisyys(chemistry, physics) property that distinguishes an asymmetric object from its mirror image
  • kiraalisuus(chemistry, physics) property that distinguishes an asymmetric object from its mirror image
French manualité, préférence manuelle
  • manualitépreference for using the right or left hand
  • préférence manuellepreference for using the right or left hand
  • chiralité(chemistry, physics) property that distinguishes an asymmetric object from its mirror image
German Händigkeit, Chiralität
  • Händigkeitpreference for using the right or left hand
  • Chiralität(chemistry, physics) property that distinguishes an asymmetric object from its mirror image
Norwegian Bokmål hendthet
  • hendthetpreference for using the right or left hand
Polish stronność
  • stronnośćpreference for using the right or left hand
Romanian dextralitate, preferință manuală
  • dextralitatepreference for using the right or left hand
  • preferință manualăpreference for using the right or left hand
  • chiralitate(chemistry, physics) property that distinguishes an asymmetric object from its mirror image
Spanish manaje, lateralidad
  • manajepreference for using the right or left hand
  • lateralidadpreference for using the right or left hand
Swedish hänthet
  • hänthetpreference for using the right or left hand
Cite this entry
APA

handedness. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handedness

MLA

“handedness.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handedness. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “handedness,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handedness.

Source: handedness on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.