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left

SayLEFT/ˈlɛft/

Noun plurallefts

10 meanings of left

Practice

  1. 1
    verb
    The past form of leave, as in 'She left early' or 'I have left my keys at home.'

    She left the house early this morning.

    They left their bags by the door.

    Note
  2. 2
    side (which one)adjective
    On or toward the side opposite right.

    He broke his left arm playing soccer.

    The keys are in your left pocket.

    UsageSay my left hand, and on the left.

    Oppositeright

  3. 3
    adjective
    Still there or still able to be used after the rest is gone, used after a noun.

    There's only one slice of pizza left, so let's share it.

    With two minutes left in the game, our team was still behind.

    UsageSay There's no milk left.

    Similarremaining, available

    Note
  4. 4
    noun
    The side or direction that is the opposite of right.

    The post office is on the left.

    Take the first turn to the left.

    UsageSay on the left.

    Similarport

    Oppositeright, starboard

  5. 5
    adverb
    On the left side, or in the direction of the left.

    Her name is written left of the title.

    The light switch is left of the door.

    UsageSay left of the door.

    Oppositeright

  6. 6
    progressive campnoun
    Political parties and people who support left-wing ideas, taken as a group.

    The left won most seats in the election.

    The left has called for higher taxes on the rich.

    UsageSay the left for these parties.

    Oppositeright

    Note
  7. 7
    political (liberal)adjective
    Belonging to or supporting the political left.

    She got involved in left politics during college.

    Many young people hold left political views.

    Similarleft-wing, leftist, progressive

    Oppositeright

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 8
    the handnouncountable
    Your left hand, or a hit made with your left fist.

    He caught the ball with his left.

    The boxer knocked him down with a quick left.

    Oppositeright

  2. 9
    more progressiveadverb
    Toward left-wing ideas, or more support for the political left.

    The party moved left after the election.

    Voters have shifted left in recent years.

    UsageSay a party moved left.

    Similarleftward

    Oppositeright

  3. 10
    noun
    A wave that breaks from left to right when you watch from the beach.

left is a form of leave

leave, verb: To go away from a place. Full entry

Forms
leaveleaves he/she/itleaving -ing formleft past tense, past participle
Spelling
leave → left: irregular (no -ed)

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 2–9

From Old English left or lyft, meaning "weak, clumsy, or foolish." It goes back to older Germanic and Indo-European roots.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Meaning 1

A form of "laft," meaning "remaining": from the Old English verb lǣfan, "to leave."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts