nonambidextrous

Nonambidextrous is an adjective used to describe someone who is not ambidextrous, meaning they do not possess the ability to perform most tasks with equal proficiency using either hand. In common usage, nonambidextrous individuals typically have a dominant hand—most often right-handed or left-handed—and may experience varying levels of dexterity with the non-dominant hand.

Ambidexterity, by contrast, refers to the rare capacity to use both hands equally well across a broad range of tasks. True ambidexterity is uncommon, and most people fall into the broad category of nonambidextrous. The term nonambidextrous is therefore primarily descriptive rather than a precise clinical diagnosis; it encompasses a spectrum of laterality patterns, including clearly dominant-handed individuals and those who display inconsistent hand preferences across activities.

In discussions of handedness, nonambidextrous is sometimes contrasted with terms such as right-handed, left-handed, and mixed-handed or cross-dominant. Handedness is often assessed with questionnaires or inventories designed to gauge preference across activities like writing, throwing, or using tools. While nonambidextrous describes lack of ambidexterity, it does not specify the degree of proficiency with the non-dominant hand, which can vary widely among individuals.

Overall, nonambidextrous is a broad, non-technical label used to indicate that a person does not use both hands with equal skill, reflecting the common human pattern of a dominant hand rather than a true bilateral dexterity.