Left
/left/
Definitions
6 meaningsTo go away from or depart.
/left/
She left for work at 8 AM.
💡 Simply: It's like when you say goodbye and go somewhere else. Like, you *left* the party because it was boring. Or, you *left* your keys at home!
👶 For kids: To go away from a place.
More Examples
He left the party early.
The bus left without me.
How It's Used
"He left the house early this morning."
"The train left the station on time."
Located on the side of the body opposite the right, or to the direction of the body that is opposite the right side.
/left/
Located on the side of the body opposite the right.
Turn left at the next intersection.
💡 Simply: It's the side of your body that's NOT your right side! Like, your *left* arm is the one you don't usually write with. Or, take a *left* turn at the next light!
👶 For kids: The side of your body that's not your right side.
More Examples
The book is on the left shelf.
He wore a glove on his left hand.
How It's Used
"The left side of the road."
"Her left hand was injured."
The side of the body opposite the right, or the political left, referring to progressive or socialist political viewpoints.
/left/
The side of the body that is opposite the right, or the political left.
The car veered to the left.
💡 Simply: It can mean the opposite of your right side, like when you're turning a corner. It can also refer to the political side that usually supports things like equality and social programs, like the *left* wing.
👶 For kids: The side of your body that's not the right side. It can also mean a group of people in politics who are against inequalities.
More Examples
The politician is on the left of the political spectrum.
She leaned to the left to avoid the incoming ball.
How It's Used
"The left-leaning political party won the election."
"Turn to the left."
To depart from a place or to cause something to remain behind.
/left/
To depart from (a place).
She left her coat at home.
💡 Simply: It's like going away from a place and not taking something or somebody with you. For example, he *left* his backpack in the car.
👶 For kids: To go away from a place or to let something stay behind.
More Examples
He left the room abruptly.
They left for the airport early.
How It's Used
"They left Paris."
"She left a note on the table."
To allow (someone or something) to remain in a specified state or place.
/left/
To allow to remain.
I left the door unlocked.
💡 Simply: It's when you let something stay where it is, whether it's a message or an inheritance. For example, she *left* her toys at her friend's house.
👶 For kids: To let something stay.
More Examples
He left the food on the table.
She left a legacy for her children.
How It's Used
"She left a message on my voicemail."
"He left everything to his children in his will."
To fail to take or bring, and thus to forget or omit.
/left/
To fail to notice or remember.
He left his keys at work.
💡 Simply: You didn't bring something with you. I *left* my umbrella at home!
👶 For kids: To forget to bring something.
More Examples
I left my homework at home.
She left her phone in the car.
How It's Used
"I left my wallet at home."
Idioms & expressions
left and right
In great quantities or profusion.
"The company was firing people left and right."
out in left field
Unconventional or strange; eccentric.
"His ideas were a little out in left field."
From Old English lyft (weak, foolish) and from the concept of the weaker side of the body (as the right-handed were the dominant population). In many languages the word for 'left' is related to the word for 'weak' or 'bad'.
The term 'left' in a political sense arose during the French Revolution, where those favoring radical change sat on the left side of the assembly.
Memory tip
Imagine a person LEAVING a place.
Word Origin
"weak, foolish"