ambidexterous

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Able to use both hands with equal skill: "ambidexterous" describes a person who is equally adept at using their left and right hands for tasks requiring dexterity, such as writing, drawing, or playing sports.
   • Double-dealing or deceitful: In a figurative sense, "ambidexterous" can refer to a person who is duplicitous, acting in two-faced or hypocritical ways, often to gain advantage from both sides.

2. Noun:

   • A person who is ambidexterous: "ambidexterous" can be used as a noun to denote an individual who possesses the ability to use both hands with equal skill.
   • A deceitful person: As a noun, it also refers to someone who engages in double-dealing or two-faced behavior.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The surgeon was ambidexterous, performing delicate operations with either hand. (Able to use both hands with equal skill in a medical context.)
  • The politician was described as ambidexterous, promising support to both parties without commitment. (Figurative meaning: deceitful or double-dealing.)

• Noun:

  • As an ambidexterous, she could write her name with her left hand while drawing with her right. (A person who is ambidexterous.)
  • He was known as an ambidexterous in business, always playing both sides for profit. (A deceitful person.)

Advanced Usage

• "ambidexterous in skill": emphasizing versatility in manual tasks.

  • The pianist was ambidexterous in skill, playing complex passages with equal fluency in both hands. (Equally skilled with both hands.)

• "ambidexterous in politics": referring to tactical duplicity.

  • The ambassador was ambidexterous in politics, maintaining alliances with rival nations. (Figurative: two-faced or strategic.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ambidexterity (noun): the quality or state of being ambidexterous.

  • His ambidexterity made him an exceptional athlete in both baseball and tennis. (The ability to use both hands well.)

• Ambidextrous (adjective): a common variant spelling of "ambidexterous" (both are correct, though "ambidextrous" is more frequent in modern usage).

  • She is ambidextrous, able to throw a ball with either hand. (Same meaning as ambidexterous.)

Synonyms

• Two-handed: able to use both hands effectively.
• Versatile: capable of performing multiple tasks or using multiple skills.
• Duplicitous (figurative): deceitful or two-faced.
• Double-dealing: acting in a dishonest way by supporting two opposing sides.

Related Idioms

• "To have a foot in both camps": to be involved with two opposing groups, often for personal gain.

  • The journalist had a foot in both camps, reporting from both the government and the opposition. (Similar to figurative ambidexterous behavior.)

• "To play both ends against the middle": to manipulate two opposing sides to one's own advantage.

  • The spy played both ends against the middle, feeding false information to each side. (Figurative: acting in a deceitful, ambidexterous way.)