WordGarden.ioleftward
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɛftwəd/
US
- /ˈlɛftwərd/
Meanings
Adverb
toward the left side
in a more left-wing political direction
Adjective
moving, pointing, or situated toward the left side
moving toward more left-wing political positions or policies
Beyond the definition
"Leftward" usually describes movement or direction toward the left side. You might use it for something simple and physical, like a car drifting leftward or a person turning leftward to look at a sound.
It is also used in politics. A "leftward shift" means movement toward more liberal or progressive ideas. So, if a party moves leftward, its policies or opinions are becoming more aligned with the political left.
"Leftward" means toward the left side. In its most direct sense, it is a word of direction: a bicycle may roll leftward, a line may bend leftward, or a person may glance leftward when something catches their attention. In these cases, the meaning is plain and physical.
The word also appears in political writing. There, "leftward" describes movement toward the political left. A leftward trend in a party, government, or group of voters suggests greater support for more progressive or liberal positions. For example, if a candidate starts supporting stronger public services or broader worker protections, someone might say that candidate has moved leftward.
This political use comes from an old seating pattern in legislatures, especially after the French Revolution, where people associated with change and reform sat on the left. Over time, "left" and "right" became common ways to describe political views, and "leftward" naturally came to mean movement in that direction.
So the word works best in two main settings: literal direction and political change. It usually does not mean simply "unusual" or "experimental" on its own. At heart, it tells a simple story of something moving, turning, or shifting toward the left.
Examples
- 1
Graph movement
The line moves leftward across the graph as the numbers get smaller.
- 2
Control setting
Move the slider leftward to lower the volume.
- 3
Landscape view
From the lookout, the coastline curves leftward around the bay.
- 4
Politics
The election results showed a leftward shift in several large cities.
- Phrasea leftward shift
a move toward more liberal or socialist ideas
See also
Similar
- leftwards
- to the left
- left
Shades of meaning
- to port
- sinistrally
Contrast
- rightward
- straight ahead
Used with (collocations)
- move leftward
- shift leftward
- turn leftward
- lean leftward
Word family
- -ward
Explore
- left-hand side
- lateral movement
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- leftward