What does ambidextrous mean?
Ambidextrous describes a person who is able to use both their left and right hands with comparable skill and ease — writing, throwing, or performing fine motor tasks just as well with either one. True ambidexterity is rare; most people have a dominant hand, so the word often carries a note of admiration when applied to athletes such as switch-hitters or two-handed pitchers, surgeons, or musicians. Beyond its literal bodily meaning, the word has acquired a figurative sense: someone may be described as ambidextrous when they move fluidly between two roles, disciplines, or even positions, though historically this figurative use could carry a negative charge, implying two-facedness or deceit. The word derives from Latin ambi-, meaning 'on both sides', combined with dexter, meaning 'right hand' or 'skillful'. In modern usage it is a standard, well-established adjective throughout the English-speaking world, appearing everywhere from sports commentary to psychology literature.
adjectiveAble to use both hands with equal skill or ease. By extension, showing equal facility or versatility in two different areas.
- Having the ability to use both the left and right hands with equal skill, especially for tasks like writing or throwing.
- Figuratively: unusually versatile or double-sided in ability, approach, or character — sometimes used negatively to suggest duplicity.
"The ambidextrous pitcher could throw a curveball equally well with either hand."
"As a naturally ambidextrous tennis player, she switched her racket between hands mid-rally."
"Critics accused the politician of being ambidextrous — praising reform publicly while quietly blocking it behind closed doors."
In Latin, the word literally meant having two right hands — because in Roman culture, the right hand was the skilled one, and being 'both right hands' was actually an insult implying deceitfulness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ambidextrous
Ambidextrous comes from Latin ambi- ('around, on both sides') plus dexter ('right-hand, skilful'), originally suggesting a person who had 'two right hands'. The term entered English in the early 17th century, initially carrying an unflattering connotation of duplicity before acquiring its modern, largely positive meaning of two-handed skill. It shares its roots with words like dextrous and dexterity, all tracing back to that same Latin notion of right-handed skill.
Related word forms
How ambidextrous is actually used
Standard adjective in both British and American English; neutral-to-admiring in most contexts today. The older pejorative sense (implying deceit or double-dealing) survives mainly in literary or figurative use.
Easily confused with ambidextrous
'Dexterous' means generally skilful and quick with the hands, whereas 'ambidextrous' specifically means able to use both hands equally well.
'Ambiguous' describes something open to more than one interpretation, while 'ambidextrous' refers to physical (or figurative) equal skill on both sides.