ambidexterity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, academic, technical
Quick answer
What does “ambidexterity” mean?
The ability to use both hands with equal skill or ease.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ability to use both hands with equal skill or ease.
General flexibility, adaptability, or skill in using multiple resources, methods, or approaches effectively. Often used metaphorically to describe mental or political flexibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Slightly more common in British academic writing in historical/legal contexts (referring to a corrupt juror taking bribes from both sides).
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotation is positive (skill, adaptability). The archaic negative connotation (duplicity, corruption) is obsolete and only appears in historical texts.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. Slightly higher in American English in sports and neuroscience contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “ambidexterity” in a Sentence
Noun + of + ambidexterity (e.g., 'a degree of ambidexterity')Adjective + ambidexterity (e.g., 'exceptional ambidexterity')Verb + ambidexterity (e.g., 'show/require/develop ambidexterity')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ambidexterity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - The verb form is not standard. Use 'to be ambidextrous'.
American English
- N/A - The verb form is not standard. Use 'to be ambidextrous'.
adverb
British English
- N/A - The adverb is 'ambidextrously'. E.g., 'He signed the document ambidextrously.'
American English
- N/A - The adverb is 'ambidextrously'. E.g., 'She writes ambidextrously.'
adjective
British English
- N/A - The adjective is 'ambidextrous'. E.g., 'He is an ambidextrous surgeon.'
American English
- N/A - The adjective is 'ambidextrous'. E.g., 'She is an ambidextrous tennis player.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in management literature to describe an organisation's ability to exploit current capabilities while exploring new innovations.
Academic
Common in psychology (motor skills), neuroscience (brain lateralisation), sports science, and political science (describing non-aligned political actors).
Everyday
Rare. Might be used to describe a skilled sportsperson or musician.
Technical
Precise term in medicine/rehabilitation (assessing hand function) and music (playing instruments).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ambidexterity”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ambidexterity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ambidexterity”
- Misspelling: 'ambidextrity', 'ambidexterousity'.
- Using it to mean 'clumsy' (opposite of intended meaning).
- Incorrect part of speech: using as an adjective (*He is very ambidexterity).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Ambidexterity' is the noun (the skill or quality). 'Ambidextrous' is the adjective (describing a person who has that skill).
Yes. It is commonly used metaphorically in fields like management, politics, and psychology to describe mental flexibility, adaptability, or the ability to handle two different tasks or approaches equally well.
True, equal-handed ambidexterity is very rare (~1% of the population). Most people have a dominant hand, though many can develop proficiency with their non-dominant hand through practice.
Historically, yes. In 16th-17th century English law, it could refer to a juror corruptly taking money from both parties. This meaning is now completely obsolete. The modern connotation is neutral or positive.
The ability to use both hands with equal skill or ease.
Ambidexterity is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Ambidexterity: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæm.bi.dekˈster.ə.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæm.bi.dekˈster.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “S/he has the gift of ambidexterity.”
- “An ambidextrous mind.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'AMBI' (meaning 'both', as in 'ambience' all around) + 'DEXTERITY' (skill with hands). Skill with BOTH hands.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHYSICAL FLEXIBILITY IS MENTAL/ORGANISATIONAL FLEXIBILITY (e.g., 'an ambidextrous company'). BALANCE IS SKILL.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern business context, 'organisational ambidexterity' primarily refers to a company's ability to: