# handed

/ˈhændəd/ (US) · /hˈændɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/handed
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. gave something to someone

verb · CEFR A2

gave something to someone using your hand.

For teachers: the past tense of 'hand', meaning to have delivered or passed an object to another person physically.

- He handed the keys to his sister before he left for work.
- The witness handed the folder to the judge, who examined the documents in silence before continuing the hearing.

### 2. having specific hands

adjective · CEFR B1

used in words like 'left-handed' to describe which hand you use or how many hands you have.

For teachers: used in combination to form adjectives describing the number, type, or preference of hands.

- The shop sells special scissors for left-handed students.
- The factory was designed for two-handed operation to ensure that workers kept both hands away from the dangerous machinery during the press cycle.

Usage: Always used as part of a compound word with a hyphen.

## Examples

- She handed the keys to her brother.
- The waiter handed me the menu and asked if I wanted anything to drink while I waited.
- After reviewing the signed documents, the lawyer handed the original copies back to the client for safekeeping in a private vault.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.