¹left

adjective \ˈleft\

: located on the same side of your body as your heart

: done with your left hand

: located nearer to the left side of your body than to the right

Full Definition of LEFT

a : of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body in which the heart is mostly located

b : done with the left hand <a left hook to the jaw>

c : located nearer to the left hand than to the right

d (1) : located on the left of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified <stage left> (2) : located on the left when facing downstream <the left bank of a river>

often capitalized : of, adhering to, or constituted by the left especially in politics

— left adverb

See left defined for English-language learners

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Origin of LEFT

Middle English, from Old English, weak; akin to Middle Low German lucht left; from the left hand's being the weaker in most individuals

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with LEFT

cleft, deft, eft, heft, klepht, theft, weft

²left

noun

: a location closer to the left side of your body than to the right : the left side

: a turn or movement toward the left

: a punch made with the left hand

Full Definition of LEFT

a : the left hand

b : the location or direction of the left side

c : the part on the left side

d : a turn to the left <take a left at the intersection>

a : left field

b : a blow struck with the left fist

often capitalized

a : the part of a legislative chamber located to the left of the presiding officer

b : the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the left as a result of holding more radical political views than other members

often capitalized

a : those professing views usually characterized by desire to reform or overthrow the established order especially in politics and usually advocating change in the name of the greater freedom or well-being of the common man

b : a radical as distinguished from a conservative position

— left·most \ˈleft-ˌmōst\ adjective

See left defined for English-language learners