both-handed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both-handed" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely recognized.
It can be used to describe someone who is equally skilled with both hands, often referred to as ambidextrous. Example: "She is both-handed, able to write with both her left and right hands with equal ease."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Six studies showed acceptable intraclass correlation for short carry both-handed assessments (0.77 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.96) [ 12, 23, 25, 26, 30, 32].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Use both hands for one-handed tasks.

WikiHow

In the women's draw, Britain's Johanna Konta and Heather Watson were both handed tough opening ties.

Independent

The two players he referred to were Kieran Tierney and John McGinn, who were both handed their debuts from the start and impressed.

The Guardian - Sport

At the core of each case, which seek $8 million in damages from each village, is the allegation that both handed their policing powers to Suffolk County in the 1950's and that as a result, their constables no longer have the authority to write traffic tickets.

The New York Times

It alleges that the Harley Medical Group and Forma both handed out promotional material at the show advertising Botox, in contravention of guidelines drawn up by the medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency, which licenses drugs for use in the UK.

The Guardian

Typing with both hands?

The Guardian

Both hands are involved, and body movements.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He is wrapping both hands around it".

The New York Times

Velázquez gripped Obama by both hands.

The New Yorker

I picked it up in both hands.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone who can use both hands equally well, consider using the more common and widely understood term "ambidextrous" instead of "both-handed".

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone described as "both-handed" is necessarily ambidextrous. The term can also simply mean using both hands for a task, not necessarily with equal skill. Clarify the intended meaning to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "both-handed" is as an adjective, modifying a noun to describe something related to the use of both hands. As shown in Ludwig, it's used to describe assessments or actions involving both hands.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "both-handed" can refer to ambidexterity or simply the use of both hands. Ludwig shows it appearing across scientific articles, news reports, and even wikis. When you mean someone is equally skilled with both hands, consider "ambidextrous" instead. Be mindful of the context to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI points out that while grammatically acceptable, it is best to make sure context is clear to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambidextrous

Refers specifically to the ability to use both hands equally well.

two-handed

Describes something requiring or involving the use of both hands.

using both hands

A more literal description of employing both hands.

either-handed

Denotes the ability to use either hand.

skilled with both hands

Emphasizes the skillfulness in using both hands.

able to use either hand

Highlights the capability to use either hand effectively.

equally proficient with both hands

Stresses equal proficiency in using both hands.

capable of using both hands

Focuses on the capability rather than the skill level.

adept at using both hands

Indicates a high level of skill in using both hands.

two-handed grip

Describes the act of gripping with both hands.

FAQs

What does "both-handed" mean?

"Both-handed" can mean either being skilled with both hands (ambidextrous) or simply using both hands for a task. The context usually clarifies the intended meaning.

Is "both-handed" the same as "ambidextrous"?

While they can be similar, "ambidextrous" specifically means being equally skilled with both hands. "Both-handed" can also refer to using both hands without implying equal skill.

When should I use "ambidextrous" instead of "both-handed"?

Use "ambidextrous" when you want to emphasize equal skill with both hands. Use "both-handed" when simply indicating that both hands are used.

What are some alternatives to "both-handed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ambidextrous", "two-handed", or "using both hands".