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right-hand

/ˈraɪthænd/
/ˈraɪthænd/
IPA guide

Anything on the right-hand side is on the right. Just add hand if you don’t want people getting it confused with right as in “correct.” Also, your most reliable friend is your right-hand woman (or man).

Your car's turn signal may be on the right-hand side of the steering wheel, and your dishwasher might be on the right-hand side of your kitchen sink. In both cases, right-hand describes something located toward the right, or in the direction of your right hand. A right-hand person, on the other hand, is someone you know you can depend on. In the musical "Hamilton," George Washington asks Alexander Hamilton to be his "right-hand man."

Definitions of right-hand
  1. adjective
    located on or directed toward the right
    “a right-hand turn”
    synonyms:
    right
    being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the east when facing north
  2. adjective
    intended for the right hand
    synonyms: right
    right-handed
    using or intended for the right hand
  3. adjective
    most helpful and reliable
    “my right-hand man”
    synonyms:
    helpful
    providing assistance or serving a useful function
Pronunciation
US
/ˈraɪthænd/
UK
/ˈraɪthænd/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘right-hand'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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