Left is the past tense and past participle of leave.
2. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If there is a certain amount of something left, or if you have a certain amount of it left, it remains when the rest has gone or been used.
Is there any gin left?
He's got plenty of money left.
They still have six games left to play.
See left over
More Synonyms of left
left direction and political groupings
(left)
language note: The spelling Left is also used for meanings [sense 3] and , [sense 4].
1. singular noun
The left is one of two opposite directions, sides, or positions. If you are facing north and you turn to the left, you will be facing west. In the word 'to', the 't' is to the left of the 'o'.
In Britain cars drive on the left.
...the brick wall to the left of the conservatory. [+ of]
Beaufort Castle is on your left.
Left is also an adverb.
Turn left at the crossroads into Clay Lane. [+ at]
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Your left arm, leg, or ear, for example, is the one which is on the left side of your body. Your left shoe or glove is the one which is intended to be worn on your left foot or hand.
3. singular noun [with singular or plural verb]
You can refer to people who support the political ideals of socialism as the left. They are often contrasted with the right, who support the political ideals of capitalism and conservatism.
...the traditional parties of the Left.
The government's industrial policy has been fiercely attacked by the left.
4. singular noun [usu to theN]
If you say that a person or political party has moved to theleft, you mean that their political beliefs have become more left-wing.
After Mrs Thatcher's first election victory in 1979, Labour moved sharply to theleft.
There will be a radical swing to the right or the left.
left in British English1
(lɛft)
adjective
1. (usually prenominal)
of or designating the side of something or someone that faces west when the front is turned towards the north
2. (usually prenominal)
worn on a left hand, foot, etc
3. (sometimes capital)
of or relating to the political or intellectual left
4. (sometimes capital)
radical or progressive, esp as compared to less radical or progressive groups, persons, etc
adverb
5.
on or in the direction of the left
noun
6.
a left side, direction, position, area, or part
▶ Related adjectives: sinister, sinistral
7. (often capital)
the supporters or advocates of varying degrees of social, political, or economic change, reform, or revolution designed to promote the greater freedom, power, welfare, or comfort of ordinary people
8. to the left
9. boxing
a.
a blow with the left hand
b.
the left hand
Word origin
Old English left idle, weak, variant of lyft- (in lyftādl palsy, literally: left-disease); related to Middle Dutch lucht left
left in British English2
(lɛft)
verb
the past tense and past participle of leave1
left in American English1
(lɛft)
adjective
1.
a.
designating or of that side of one's body which is toward the west when one faces north, the side of the less-used hand in most people
b.
designating or of the corresponding side of anything
c.
closer to the left side of a person directly before and facing the thing mentioned or understood
the top left drawer of a desk
2.
of the side or bank of a river on the left of a person facing downstream
3.
of the political left; liberal or radical
noun
4.
a.
all or part of the left side
b.
what is on the left side
c.
a direction or location on the left side
often with the
d.
a turn toward the left side
5. US, Baseball
left field
6. Boxing
a.
the left hand
b.
a blow delivered with the left hand
7. [oftenL-]; Politics
a liberal or radical position, esp. one varying from moderate socialism to communism, or a party or group advocating this
, often with the: from the position of the seats occupied in some European legislatures
adverb
8.
on or toward the left hand or side
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈliberal
Idioms:
have two left feet
Word origin
ME (Kentish) var. of lift < OE lyft, weak, akin to EFris luf, weak
left in American English2
(lɛft)
verb transitive, verb intransitive
pt. & pp. of
leave1
More idioms containing
left
the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing
be left in the dust
out in left field
come out of left field
be left to your own devices
be left hanging in the air
Examples of 'left' in a sentence
left
That is why governments of both left and right have quite sensibly rejected it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But people on the left have often had charmed and privileged lives.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He has a tattoo on his left arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Thankfully the impact was on my left leg, the better of the two!
The Sun (2016)
This is something that has confounded the political left - in both countries.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Doctors discovered she had bruising to her forehead, lower back, left shoulder and left side.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Four of their Prem wins this season have been by one goal, meaning they are left sweating until the end.
The Sun (2016)
A header, a finish with his right foot, then one with his left.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The final effect gave a block text with straight margins on both right and left sides.
Christianity Today (2000)
These are people who feel left behind.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Check the numbers on the left against those on your monthly gamecard.
The Sun (2008)
Some left behind one family member to guard the house.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Or is the past on the left and the future on the right?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That position on the left of the front three is now his to lose.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Those left standing are still under question.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The fingers of my right hand crept down my left arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We list the top and bottom areas on the left.
The Sun (2016)
The left back was also sent off for protesting with the referee after being substituted.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Any money left can be passed on to their heirs.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Then take a big step forwards with your left leg and repeat.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Return to the centre and repeat with your left hand to complete one rep.
The Sun (2011)
Repeat with your right hand and left foot.
The Sun (2012)
On the left wing were more cavalry.
Diane Purkiss The English Civil War: A People's History (2006)
Step forward into lunge position with left leg.
The Sun (2011)
The left had not meant to offend.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was no easy play from the left side.
Kevin Cook Tommy's Honour: The Extraordinary Story of Golf's Founding Father and Son (2007)
These block first the left and then the right so quickly that it is not noticeable.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Lower your foot to the floor then repeat with your right knee and left shoulder.
The Sun (2010)
He represented change - but not the radical kind the left wanted or the revolutionary kind the right still suspects.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Many new left radicals of the 1960s came to see their hopes for radical social change in the near future were unrealistic.
Hunt, E. K. Property and Prophets: The Evolution of Economic Institutions and Ideologies (1995)
She is just hoping that most will be away on an annual migration in Hawaii and that those left behind will leave her alone.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
left
British English: left /lɛft/ ADJECTIVE
If there is a certain amount of something left, it remains when the rest has gone or been used.
Is there any tea left?
American English: left
Arabic: بَاقٍ
Brazilian Portuguese: algum
Chinese: 左边的
Croatian: preostao
Czech: zbylý
Danish: tilbage
Dutch: overgebleven
European Spanish: izquierdo
Finnish: vasen
French: de reste ce qui reste
German: links
Greek: υπόλοιπο
Italian: rimasto
Japanese: 左の
Korean: 남기다
Norwegian: venstre
Polish: lewy
European Portuguese: sobrar
Romanian: rămas
Russian: остаток
Latin American Spanish: quedar remaining amount
Swedish: vänster
Thai: เหลือ
Turkish: sol
Ukrainian: залишилось
Vietnamese: còn lại
British English: left /lɛft/ ADVERB
If you are facing north and you turn left, you will be facing west.
Turn left at the crossroads.
American English: left
Arabic: يَسَاراً
Brazilian Portuguese: à esquerda
Chinese: 在左面
Croatian: lijevo
Czech: vlevo
Danish: venstre
Dutch: links
European Spanish: hacia la izquierda
Finnish: vasemmalla
French: à gauche
German: links
Greek: αριστερά
Italian: a sinistra
Japanese: 左に
Korean: 왼쪽으로
Norwegian: venstre
Polish: na lewo
European Portuguese: à esquerda
Romanian: în stânga
Russian: налево
Latin American Spanish: hacia la izquierda
Swedish: till vänster
Thai: ไปทางซ้าย
Turkish: soldaki
Ukrainian: ліворуч
Vietnamese: về phía trái
British English: left /lɛft/ NOUN
The left is one side of something. For example, on a page, English writing begins on the left.
The school is on the left at the end of the road.
American English: left
Arabic: يَسَارٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: esquerda
Chinese: 左边
Croatian: nalijevo
Czech: levá strana
Danish: venstre
Dutch: linkerkant
European Spanish: izquierda
Finnish: vasen puoli
French: gauche pas droite
German: linke Seite
Greek: αριστερά
Italian: sinistra
Japanese: 左
Korean: 왼쪽
Norwegian: venstre side
Polish: lewa strona
European Portuguese: esquerda
Romanian: stânga
Russian: левая сторона
Latin American Spanish: izquierda
Swedish: vänster sida
Thai: ด้านซ้าย
Turkish: sol
Ukrainian: лівий бік
Vietnamese: phía trái
All related terms of 'left'
leave
If you leave a place or person, you go away from that place or person.
eyes left
a command to troops to look left, esp as a salute when marching
far left
of or relating to the extreme left wing
hard left
You use hard left to describe those members of a left wing political group or party who have the most extreme political beliefs .
left back
a defending player on the left side of the field
Left Bank
a district of Paris , on the S bank of the River Seine ; frequented by artists , students , etc
left half
a defensive player who plays midfield , on the left side of the pitch
left-hand
If something is on the left-hand side of something, it is positioned on the left of it.
left out
excluded
left over
If there is a certain amount of something left over , or if you have it left over , it remains when the rest has gone or been used.
left wing
Left-wing people have political ideas that are based on socialism .
New Left
a loose grouping of left-wing radicals , esp among students , that arose in many countries after 1960
inside left
(esp formerly) a player having mainly midfield and attacking roles
left brain
the left hemisphere of the human brain , which is believed to control linear and analytical thinking , decision-making , and language
left-click
To left-click or to left-click on something means to press the left-hand button on a computer mouse.
left-field
If you say that someone or something has come out of left field or is out in left field , you mean that they are untypical , unusual , or strange in some way.
left-footed
kicked with the left foot
left-footer
(esp in Ireland and Scotland) a Roman Catholic
left-handed
Someone who is left-handed uses their left hand rather than their right hand for activities such as writing and sports and for picking things up.
left-hander
You can describe someone as a left-hander if they use their left hand rather than their right hand for activities such as writing and sports and for picking things up.
left heart
the half of the heart containing the left ventricle and left atrium , which supply oxygenated blood to all parts of the body
left-winger
A left-winger is a person whose political beliefs are close to socialism , or closer to them than most of the other people in the same group or party.
loony left
→ the loony left
stage left
Stage left is the left side of the stage for an actor who is standing facing the audience.
swipe left
to move a finger from right to left across a touchscreen in order to dismiss an image
ultra-left
having extreme left-wing views
left fielder
the player whose position is left field
left-justify
If printed text is left-justified , each line begins at the same distance from the left-hand edge of the page or column .
left luggage
Left luggage is used to refer to luggage that people leave at a special place in a railway station or an airport , and which they collect later .
outside-left
a footballer who plays on the outside left wing of the field
radical left
the faction representing extreme left-wing political views, often Marxist or Maoist in ideology
hang a left
to turn to the left (or right), as in driving a car
the far left
the more extreme supporters or advocates of social, political, or economic change, reform , or revolution designed to promote the greater freedom , power, welfare , or comfort of ordinary people
to the left
radical in the methods, principles , etc, employed in striving to achieve such change
left-of-center
holding liberal views in politics ; left-wing
left-of-centre
Left-of-centre people or political parties support political ideas which are closer to socialism than to capitalism .
left-wing bias
Bias is a tendency to prefer one person or thing to another, and to favour that person or thing.
the loony left
the extreme left
left-hand drive
A left-hand drive vehicle has the steering wheel on the left side , and is designed to be used in countries where people drive on the right-hand side of the road .
left-wing activist
An activist is a person who works to bring about political or social changes by campaigning in public or working for an organization.
leftover
You can refer to food that has not been eaten after a meal as leftovers .
leftovers
an unused portion or remnant , as of material or cooked food
have two left feet
to be very clumsy
left-luggage locker
a coin-operated locker in which luggage can be left
left-luggage office
a place at a railway station, airport , etc, where luggage may be left for a small charge with an attendant for safekeeping
out in left field
unusual and unconventional
where you left off
If something continues from where it left off , it starts happening again at the point where it had previously stopped .
be left in the dust
to be outdone or left far behind by someone or something
eyes right (or left)
a command to snap the head to the right (or left) while marching , as a salute when passing in review
grand right and left
an interweaving of two concentric circles of dancers, one moving clockwise , the other counterclockwise, giving right and left hands alternately to successive partners
Chinese translation of 'left'
left 1
(lɛft)
adj
(= not right) 左的 (zuǒ de)
⇒ his left eye他的左眼 (tā de zuǒyǎn)
n
the left左侧(側) (zuǒcè)
⇒ There was a strong light coming from the left.有一道强光从左侧射来。 (Yǒu yī dào qiángguāng cóng zuǒcè shèlái.)
adv
[turn, go, look]向左 (xiàngzuǒ)
⇒ Turn left at the traffic lights.在红绿灯处向左拐。 (Zài hónglǜdēng chù xiàng zuǒ guǎi.)
on the left在左边(邊) (zài zuǒbiān)
to the left靠左边(邊) (kào zuǒbiān)
the Left (Pol) 左翼 (zuǒyì)
left 2
(lɛft)
pt, pp
ofleave
adj
to be left (= remain) 剩下 (shèngxià)
⇒ Is there any gin left?剩没剩杜松子酒？ (Shèng méi shèng dùsōngzǐjiǔ?)
to have sth left还(還)剩某物 (hái shèng mǒuwù)
to be left over[food, money etc]剩下 (shèngxià)
Seel
leave
(liːv)
Word forms:ptppleft
vt
(= depart from)[place]离(離)开(開) (líkāi)
⇒ They left the house after tea.吃过茶点后，他们离开了家。 (Chīguo chádiǎn hòu, tāmen líkāile jiā.)
(= give up)[school, job, group]放弃(棄) (fàngqì)
⇒ He left school with no qualifications.他弃学了，没有拿到任何文凭。 (Tā qìxué le, méiyǒu nádào rènhé wénpíng.)
(= take leave of)[person]与(與) ... 分开(開) (yǔ ... fēnkāi)
⇒ I simply couldn't bear to leave my little girl.我就是忍受不了与我的小女儿分开。 (Wǒ jiùshì rěnshòu bù liǎo yǔ wǒ de xiǎo nǚ'ér fēnkāi.)
(= abandon)[wife, family]抛(拋)弃(棄) (pāoqì)
⇒ My husband left me for another woman.我丈夫为了另一个女人抛弃了我。 (Wǒ zhàngfu wèile lìng yī gè nǚrén pāoqìle wǒ.)
(= cause)[mark, stain, impression]留下 (liúxià)
⇒ Coffee leaves a stain.咖啡会留下污迹。 (Kāfēi huì liú xià wūjì.)
(= leave behind) (deliberately) 留下 (liúxià)
⇒ Leave your key with a neighbour.把钥匙留给邻居。 (Bǎ yàoshi liú gěi línjū.)
(accidentally) 落 (luò)
⇒ I had left my raincoat in the restaurant.我把雨衣落在饭店里了。 (Wǒ bǎ yǔyī là zài fàndiàn li le.)
[message]留 (liú)
⇒ Can I leave a message for Jim?我能不能给吉姆留个口信？ (Wǒ néng bù néng gěi Jímǔ liú gè kǒuxìn?)
(= keep back)[food, space, time]留 (liú)
⇒ Leave some of the stew for the boys.把炖菜给那几个男孩留一些。 (Bǎ dùncài gěi nà jǐ gè nánhái liú yīxiē.)
(= waste)[food, drink]剩 (shèng)
vi
(= depart)
[person]离(離)开(開) (líkāi)
[bus, train]出发(發) (chūfā)
⇒ My train leaves at 11.30.我坐的火车11点30分出发。 (Wǒ zuò de huǒchē shíyī diǎn sānshí fēn chūfā.)
(= give up school) 辍(輟)学(學) (chuòxué)
(= give up job) 辞(辭)职(職) (cízhí)
⇒ He hated his job, so he left.他憎恶他的工作，所以辞职了。 (Tā zēngwù tā de gōngzuò, suǒyǐ cízhí le.)
n(u)
(= time off maternity/sick etc leave) 休假 (xiūjià)
⇒ Why don't you take a few days' leave?你为什么不休几天假？ (Nǐ wèishénme bù xiū jǐ tiān jià?)
(Mil) 假期 (jiàqī)
⇒ How much leave do you get?你有多少探亲假？ (Nǐ yǒu duōshǎo tànqīn jià?)
to leave sth to sb[money, property etc]把某物留给(給)某人 (bǎ mǒuwù liú gěi mǒurén)
to leave sth until later把某事往后(後)拖延 (bǎ mǒushì wǎnghòu tuōyán)
to leave sb/sth alone不理会(會)某人/某物 (bù lǐhuì mǒurén/mǒuwù)
to leave sb to do sth让(讓)某人做某事 (ràng mǒurén zuò mǒushì)
the accident left four people dead该(該)事故造成4人死亡 (gāi shìgù zàochéng sì rén sǐwáng)
he leaves a wife and two children他死后(後)留下了妻子和两(兩)个(個)孩子 (tā sǐ hòu liúxiàle qīzi hé liǎng gè háizi)
to be left with sth被赠(贈)予某物 (bèi zèngyǔ mǒuwù)
⇒ When their mother died they were left with nothing.母亲死后没有留给他们任何遗产。 (Mǔqīn sǐ hòu méiyǒu liúgěi tāmen rènhé yíchǎn.)
to leave for[destination]前往 (qiánwǎng)
⇒ My plan was to leave for the seaside.我的计划是前往海边。 (Wǒ de jìhuà shì qiánwǎng hǎibiān.)
to take one's leave (of sb) (frm) (向某人)告别(別) ((xiàng mǒurén) gàobié)
to be on leave在休假 (zài xiūjià)
All related terms of 'left'
L.
lake 湖 hú
leave
( depart from : place ) 离(離)开(開) líkāi ⇒ They left the house after tea. → 吃过茶点后，他们离开了家。 Chīguo chádiǎn hòu, tāmen líkāile jiā.
the left
左侧(側) zuǒcè ⇒ There was a strong light coming from the left. → 有一道强光从左侧射来。 Yǒu yī dào qiángguāng cóng zuǒcè shèlái.
left-hand
( side, corner ) 左侧(側)的 zuǒcè de
left-wing
( person, ideas ) 左翼的 zuǒyì de
left-handed
左撇子的 zuǒpiězi de
left-luggage
▶ left-luggage locker 行李寄存柜(櫃) xíngli jìcúnguì
on the left
在左边(邊) zài zuǒbiān
to be left
( remain ) 剩下 shèngxià ⇒ Is there any gin left? → 剩没剩杜松子酒？ Shèng méi shèng dùsōngzǐjiǔ?
to the left
靠左边(邊) kào zuǒbiān
the left wing
左翼 zuǒyì
"no left turn"
"禁止左转(轉)" "jìnzhǐ zuǒ zhuǎn"
left/right hook
左/右钩(鉤)拳 zuǒ/yòugōuquán
turn sharp left
向左急转(轉)弯(彎) xiàng zuǒ jízhuǎnwān
he left for Rome
他前往罗(羅)马(馬) tā qiánwǎng Luómǎ
ranged right/left
( text ) 靠右/左对(對)齐(齊) kào yòu/zuǒ duìqí
to be left over
( food, money etc ) 剩下 shèngxià
to have sth left
还(還)剩某物 hái shèng mǒuwù
left-luggage locker
行李寄存柜(櫃) xíngli jìcúnguì
left-luggage office
行李寄存处(處) xíngli jìcúnchù
on the left/right
在左边(邊)/右边(邊) zài zuǒbiān/yòubiān
she upped and left
她突然起身离(離)开(開)了 tā tūrán qǐshēn líkāi le
the far left/right
( Pol ) 极(極)左/右 jízuǒ/yòu
to bear right/left
( Aut ) 向右/左转(轉) xiàng yòu/zuǒ zhuǎn
to get left behind
( person ) 被甩掉 bèi shuǎidiào
to the left/right
向左/右 xiàng zuǒ/yòu
a swing to the left
( Pol ) 改向左派 gǎixiàng zuǒpài
I've/there's none left
( not any ) 我一点(點)也没(沒)有了/一点(點)也没(沒)剩 wǒ yīdiǎn yě méiyǒu le/yīdiǎn yě méi shèng
left-/right-hand drive
左/右手座驾(駕)驶(駛) zuǒ/yòushǒu zuò jiàshǐ
the extreme right/left
( Pol ) 极(極)右/左 jíyòu/zuǒ
there isn't much left
剩下的不多了 shèngxià de bù duō le
to be left with sth
被赠(贈)予某物 bèi zèngyǔ mǒuwù ⇒ When their mother died they were left with nothing. → 母亲死后没有留给他们任何遗产。 Mǔqīn sǐ hòu méiyǒu liúgěi tāmen rènhé yíchǎn.
to indicate left/right
( Brit : in car ) 打左/右转(轉)向灯(燈) dǎ zuǒ/yòu zhuǎnxiàngdēng
I've/there are none left
( not one ) 我一个(個)也没(沒)有了/一个(個)也没(沒)剩 wǒ yī gè yě méiyǒu le/yī gè yě méi shèng
next on the right/left
右/左面第一个(個) yòu/zuǒmiàn dì yī gè
she left earlier than us
她比我们(們)早离(離)开(開) tā bǐ wǒmen zǎo líkāi
she never left my side
她从(從)没(沒)离(離)开(開)过(過)我身边(邊) tā cóng méi líkāiguo wǒ shēnbiān
there was/were some left
还(還)剩下一些 hái shèngxià yīxiē
are there any seats left?
还(還)有位子吗(嗎)？ háiyǒu wèizi ma?
he didn't come so I left
他没(沒)来(來)，因此我走了 tā méilái, yīncǐ wǒ zǒu le
he will have left by now
他现(現)在一定已经(經)离(離)开(開)了 tā xiànzài yīdìng yǐjīng líkāi le
not a single one was left
一个(個)都没(沒)剩 yī gè dōu méi shèng
to be left on the shelf
( inf : person ) 嫁不出去的 jià bù chūqù de
to slope to the right/left
向右/左倾(傾)斜 xiàng yòu/zuǒ qīngxié
if there are any tickets left
如果有票剩下的话(話) rúguǒ yǒu piào shèngxia de huà
it's on the left as you go in
在你进(進)入时(時)的左侧(側) zài nǐ jìnrù shí de zuǒcè
no sooner had we left than ...
我们(們)一离(離)开(開)就 ... wǒmen yī líkāi jiù ...
to pick up where one left off
从(從)停下来(來)的地方继(繼)续(續) cóng tíng xiàlái de dìfang jìxù