ambidextrous
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ambidextrous
- /ˌæm.biˈdɛk.stɹəs/ UK
- /ˌæm.bɪˈdɛk.stɹəs/ US
Rhymes with -ɛkstɹəs
Where it comes from
From Medieval Latin ambidexter + -ous, the former from ambi- (“both”) + dexter (“right”), thus literally “both hands being like a right hand”. By surface analysis, ambi- (“both”) + dextrous (“skillful; agile”).
The Latin word is first attested in the Vetus Latina, calquing Ancient Greek ἀμφοτεροδέξιος (amphoterodéxios) in Judges 3:15 after the Septuagint, itself translating Hebrew אִטֵּר יַד יְמִינוֹ (iṭṭēr yaḏ yəmīnō, literally “bound in his right hand”). This phrase is now generally translated as “left-handed”; the Septuagint translation is either from a variant reading or from a different interpretation.
adjective more ambidextrous · most ambidextrous
- Having equal or comparable ability in both hands; in particular, able to write well with both hands. Some are […]ambidextrous or right-handed on both sides; which happeneth only unto strong and athletical bodies, whose heat and spirits are able to afford an ability unto both.
- Equally usable by left-handed and right-handed people (as a tool or instrument).
- Practising or siding with both parties. All False, Shuffling, and Ambidextrous Dealings.
- Of a person, bisexual.
- Exceptionally skillful; adept in more than one medium, genre, style, etc. Michelangelo was a very ambidextrous artist, producing sculptures and frescoes with equal ability.
Similar: both-handed, either-handed, two-handed · Opposite: ambilevous, ambisinistrous
Thesaurus
adjective
Similar: both-handed, either-handed, two-handed · Opposite: ambilevous, ambisinistrous
Translations
Every language
adj having equal ability in both hands
| Español | ambidextro, ambidiestro, maniego |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 양손잡이의 yangsonjabi-ui |
| 日本語 | 両手利きの ryōtekiki no |
| 中文 | 雙手靈巧的 /双手灵巧的 shuāngshǒu língqiǎo de |
| हिन्दी | सव्यसाची savyasācī |
| Português | ambidestro |
| Français | ambidextre |
| Deutsch | beidhändig |
| Italiano | ambidestro |
| Ελληνικά | αμφιδέξιος amfidéxios |
| Română | ambidextru |
| Русский | владе́ющий одина́ково хорошо́ обе́ими рука́ми vladéjuščij odinákovo xorošó obéimi rukámi |
| العربية | أَضْبَط ʔaḍbaṭ |
Talk about this word "ambidextrous." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/ambidextrous. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. ambidextrous. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/ambidextrous "ambidextrous." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/ambidextrous.Cite this
@misc{ambidextrous_2026,
title = {ambidextrous},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/ambidextrous},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
