WordGarden.ioleft
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɛft/
US
- /ˈlɛft/
Meanings
Adjective
on or toward the side opposite the right side
remaining after the rest have gone, been used, or been removed
favoring progressive, socialist, or left-wing political views
Verb
went away from or departed from a place
let something stay where it was or remain in a particular state
stopped being with someone or withdrew from something
More meaningsFewer meanings
gave property or money to someone in a will
Adverb
to or toward the left side
Noun
the left side or direction
the people, parties, or ideas on the political left
Beyond the definition
"Left" is a common word, but it does several jobs. Most often, it names a direction, the side opposite from right. You can turn left, hold something in your left hand, or stand on the left side of a room. It is also the past form of "leave," as in "She left early" or "I left my bag on the bus." Another very common meaning is "remaining": if there is one slice left, one slice is still there.
You may also hear "the left" in politics. In that sense, it means people or groups that usually support more social change, more equality, and a stronger public role in areas like healthcare, education, or workers' rights. And in phrases like "left out," it can also suggest being excluded.
"Left" is one of those everyday English words that changes meaning with context. The most basic meaning is a direction: it is the side opposite from right. People talk about a left turn, a left hand, or the left side of a page, a building, or a street. It can describe position, movement, or which hand a person uses more naturally.
"Left" is also the past tense and past participle of "leave." In this sense, it can mean going away, putting something somewhere and not taking it with you, or allowing something to remain behind. For example, someone can leave a meeting early, leave a coat at a friend's house, or leave a note on a table. In passive-style uses, it can describe a state after someone has gone or after something has been done, as in "The door was left open."
Another very common meaning is "remaining." If there is some food left, it has not all been eaten or used. If you have time left, some time still remains. This use appears in many ordinary situations and is one of the most important meanings to know.
In politics, "the left" or "the left wing" refers to people, parties, or ideas that usually support greater social equality and reforms led by government or public institutions. The term comes from seating patterns in the French Revolution and is now used in many countries, though the exact meaning can change depending on place and time.
Finally, "left" appears in expressions such as "left out," where it suggests exclusion or not being included. A child may feel left out of a game, or a name may be left out of a list by mistake. So while the word looks simple, it carries several important meanings in daily English.
Examples
- 1
Directions
Turn left at the next corner.
- 2
Location
My bag is on the left, beside the door.
- 3
Body side
She writes with her left hand.
- 4
Remaining tickets
There were only three tickets left.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Remaining time
We have five minutes left before the movie starts.
- 6
Object location
I left my keys on the kitchen table.
- 7
Leaving work
He left the office early because he had a headache.
- 8
Travel departure
They left for Spain on Monday.
- Patternleft for + place
went to that place
- 9
Resulting state
The rain left the roads very slippery.
- Patternleft + object + adjective
made it stay in that state
- 10
Exclusion
I felt left out when everyone else got an invitation.
- Phraseleft out
not included
- 11
Food remaining
Some food was left over after the party.
- Phraseleft over
still there because it was not used or eaten
- 12
Political views
Her views are slightly left of center.
- Phraseleft of center
closer to left-wing politics than the middle
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- leftnounadjectiveadverb
Forms
- leftspluralnounadjectiveadverb