always used before a noun
1
a
: located on the same side of your body as your heart
He felt a pain in his left side.
her left hand/leg
b
: done with your left hand
He hit him with a left hook to the jaw.
2
: located nearer to the left side of your body than to the right
the left side of the street
a chair's left arm
taking a left turn
1
a
: toward the left
Please move left.
She ran left and caught the ball.
Taking one step left, he fell to the ground.
b
: toward the political Left
a political party that has shifted left
His political views are slightly left of center. [=are slightly liberal]
2
US
: using the left hand
He bats/throws left. [=left-handed]
plural lefts
1
: a location closer to the left side of your body than to the right : the left side
We read from left to right.
—often used with onAs you come down the street, my house will be on your/the left.
—often used with toMove the picture a little to the left.
The picture is to the left of the window.
2
: a turn or movement toward the left
Go to the next intersection and take a left. = (US) Go to the next intersection and make/hang a left.
You'll take two lefts and then a right.
3
: a punch made with the left hand
He hit him with two quick lefts to the stomach followed by a right to the jaw.
4
a
: political groups who favor sharing money and property more equally among the members of a society : political groups who support liberal or socialist policies
His nomination is opposed by the country's Left.
The new law is disliked by the Left.
Members of the Left have voiced their opinions on this matter.
b
: the position of people who support the beliefs and policies of the political Left
The party has shifted to the left. [=has become more liberal]
left
4 of 4past tense and past participle of leave entry 1
Cite this Entry
“Left.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/left. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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