Ambidextrous: A Powerful Word for Skill and Ability

The word ambidextrous is often used to describe a rare and impressive ability, being able to use both hands equally well. While many learners understand the basic meaning, they are unsure how to use this word naturally in real-life English or exams like IELTS. This post will help you understand this word clearly, from pronunciation and meaning to usage, collocations, and common mistakes. By the end, you’ll be able to use this word confidently in daily conversation, professional English, and descriptive speaking or writing without sounding forced or unnatural.

1. Word Overview

Part of Speech: Adjective

2. Pronunciation

IPA: /ˌæm.bɪˈdek.strəs/

Hindi pronunciation: ऐम्बिडेक्स्ट्रस

(Stress is on DEK)

3. Meaning

English Meaning

A person who can use both the right hand and the left hand equally well.

Hindi Meaning

जो व्यक्ति दोनों हाथों से बराबर कुशलता से काम कर सके

4. Usage Explanation

This word is most commonly used to talk about:

• Writing with both hands
• Sports skills
• Artistic or technical abilities

It can also be used figuratively to describe someone skilled in handling different roles or situations.

Usage:

More common in spoken English when talking about abilities

Also used in written English, especially in profiles, articles, and IELTS answers

5. Formality Level

Formality: Neutral

Suitability:

✅ Daily conversation: Yes

✅ Professional English: Yes

✅ IELTS / TOEFL / competitive exams: Perfect vocabulary choice

⚠️ Avoid using it too casually unless the context clearly fits skills or ability.

6. Common Collocations

Here are natural and commonly used collocations:

1. Ambidextrous person – someone skilled with both hands

2. Naturally ambidextrous – born with this ability

3. Highly ambidextrous – very skilled with both hands

4. Ambidextrous skills – abilities using both hands

5. Ambidextrous ability – the talent of using both hands

6. Ambidextrous player – often used in sports contexts

7. Real-Life Examples

1. She is ambidextrous and can write neatly with her left hand.

2. Being ambidextrous helped him excel in sports.

3. The surgeon’s ambidextrous abilities impressed the entire team.

4. In IELTS Speaking, you could say: “I admire people who are ambidextrous because it demonstrates great coordination.”

8. Common Learner Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1

Using it for general intelligence

❌ She is ambidextrous in studies.

✔️ Use it only for physical hand-based skills or figurative adaptability.

❌ Mistake 2

Confusing it with “multitalented”

✔️ Multitalented = many skills

✔️ Ambidextrous = skill with both hands

❌ Mistake 3

Wrong pronunciation

❌ ambi-deks-TROUS

✔️ Correct stress: am-bi-DEK-strəs

9. Word Family

Ambidextrous (adjective)

Ambidexterity (noun – the ability to use both hands well)

10. Quick Tip for Learners

Easy memory trick:

“Ambi” means both.

If someone can use both hands, they are ambidextrous.

Strong vocabulary grows slowly – but every new word adds confidence to your English.

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