left

left — adjective

1. Located on the side of your body where the heart is, used to describe a position

1.adjectiveA1
Definition

Located on the side of your body where the heart is, used to describe a position, body part, or direction that is opposite to right.

Example

Karim writes with his left hand because he is left-handed.

left + hand/arm/leg for body-part collocation

The post office is the second building on your left.

on your left — fixed directional phrase

Common collocations
  • left hand
  • left side
  • left arm
  • left leg
  • left turn
Synonyms
  • left-hand

    Always before a noun; more specific about which side is meant ('left-hand drawer' means the drawer on the left)

  • leftward

    Describes movement toward the left rather than a fixed position

  • port

    Nautical term only; refers to the left side of a ship or aircraft when facing forward

Antonyms
  • right

    The opposite side; on or toward the east when facing north

Grammar Patterns

left + noun (body part/object/direction)

Usage Note

Usually appears immediately before the noun it describes. The opposite is 'right'. When giving directions, 'on your left' is a fixed phrase that does not need an article.

Common Mistakes

I write with my right hand.' (when the speaker means left).
I write with my left hand.
Learners often confuse left and right; remember that your left side is where your heart is.

2. Supporting or relating to political ideas that favour greater social and economi

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

Supporting or relating to political ideas that favour greater social and economic equality, with more government involvement in public services and wealth distribution.

Example

The newspaper has a strong left political viewpoint on economic issues.

left + viewpoint/party/policy (political collocation)

Reema voted for a left candidate in the local elections.

Common collocations
  • left party
  • left politics
  • left government
  • left ideas
  • left movement
Synonyms
  • left-wing

    Exactly equivalent; 'left-wing' is more common in modern journalism and everyday speech

  • progressive

    Broader term that includes left ideas but also emphasises gradual social reform

  • liberal

    In some contexts overlaps with left, but liberals typically favour individual freedoms more than collective ownership; usage differs between the US and Europe

Antonyms
  • right-wing

    Supports free-market capitalism, traditional values, and less government intervention

  • conservative

    Generally opposes rapid social change and favours established institutions

Grammar Patterns

left + noun (party/movement/idea)

Usage Note

Can be capitalised when it is part of an official party name (e.g. 'the Left Party'). The opposite political alignment is 'right-wing' or 'conservative'. This sense is less common in everyday conversation about personal belongings or directions.

Common Mistakes

She holds left views on the weather.
She holds left views on economic policy.
'Left' as a political term applies to government, economics, and social policy, not to neutral topics or personal taste.
Idioms

have two left feet

idiom

To move in a clumsy way, especially while dancing or playing sports.

Maya has two left feet, so she avoids dancing at parties.

Despite his two left feet, Diego joined the soccer team.

left — noun

left — verb

Word family

  • leave
    verbA1
  • left-handed
    adjectiveB1
  • left-wing
    adjectiveB2
  • leftist
    nounC1
  • leftist
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words relate to the left side, but they are used in different contexts. 'Left-hand' is the closest equivalent and always appears before a noun ('the left-hand drawer'), where it emphasises which of two matching items is meant. 'Leftward' describes movement toward the left ('a leftward shift in opinion') rather than a fixed position, and is more common in formal or descriptive writing. 'Port' is a specialised nautical term for the left side of a ship or aircraft and should only be used in those settings ('the port side of the vessel'). For everyday use — body parts, directions, seating — 'left' is the natural choice. For example: 'The library is on your left.'

left-handleftwardport ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • left side
  • left hand
  • left turn
  • left wing
  • left arm
  • left leg

Adverbs

  • directly left
  • immediately to the left
  • slightly to the left
  • further left
  • far left

Phrases

  • to the left of
  • on the left of
  • from left to right
  • the left and the right

Prepositions

  • on the left
  • to the left
  • from the left
  • towards the left

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'left' comes from Old English 'lyft', which originally meant 'weak' or 'foolish' — the left hand was seen as the weaker one. The meaning shifted to refer to the side of the body where that hand is. The political meaning started during the French Revolution, when members of the National Assembly who wanted more radical change sat on the left side of the meeting hall. The verb 'left' (past tense of 'leave') comes from a different Old English word 'lǣfan', meaning 'to allow to remain behind'.