ambidextrous

/ˌˈæmbəˌdɛkstərəs/

/æmbɪˈdɛkstrəs/

Other forms: ambidextrously

Ambidextrous people have the ability to use both hands with equal dexterity. But the ambidextrous probably prefer to write with their right hands, since lefties always smudge what they've written as they drag their hand across the page.

Coming from the Latin word ambidexter, which means “right-handed on both sides,” ambidextrous describes someone who can use either hand to write, swing a bat or catch a ball. Lucky ducks. In a broader sense ambidextrous means "facile" or "skillful." But when it first came into use in the 1530's, ambidextrous had more sinister connotations with the practice of deceitful double-dealing.

Definitions of ambidextrous

1. adjective

   equally skillful with each hand
   “an ambidextrous surgeon”

   synonyms: two-handed

   equipoised

   lacking lateral dominance; being neither right-handed nor left-handed

   antonyms:

   right-handed

   using or intended for the right hand

   left-handed

   using or intended for the left hand

   dextral

   of or on the right

   sinistral

   of or on the left

   dextral

   preferring to use right foot or hand or eye

   right, right-hand

   intended for the right hand

   left, left-hand

   intended for the left hand

   sinistral

   preferring to use left foot or hand or eye

   right

   being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the east when facing north

   left

   being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the west when facing north
2. adjective

   marked by deliberate deceptiveness especially by pretending one set of feelings and acting under the influence of another
   synonyms: Janus-faced, deceitful, double-dealing, double-faced, double-tongued, duplicitous, two-faced

   dishonest, dishonorable

   deceptive or fraudulent; disposed to cheat or defraud or deceive