What does "lefty" mean?
One who is left-handed.
Lefty
/ˈlɛfti/ adj, noun, slang
adj, noun, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who is left-handed.
- Grammar: lefty is listed as adj, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: southpaw, epithet, left hander, left-handed.
- Useful contrasts: conservative, dextral, formal designation.
- Usage evidence: It’s estimated that just 10 to 12 percent of the human population is left-handed. Across cultures and over the years, left-handed people have been described as sinister, evil, crooked and the like. But in modern, more tolerant societies, the lefty seems to thrive. A University of London scholar even wrote that left-handed people produce an above-average quota of high achievers. What does it mean to be a lefty today?
How to use "lefty"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "lefty" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "lefty" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "lefty" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "lefty" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "lefty" is acting as adj, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "southpaw" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "lefty", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who is left-handed. Canada, US, informal
- 2 a baseball pitcher who throws the ball with the left hand wordnet
- 3 One who has left-wing political views. UK, informal
"The new brocialism cares deeply about women’s issues of course – just not enough to elect an actual woman. They don’t need to, because good lefties speak for all us. They don’t even notice gender."
- 4 a person who uses the left hand with greater skill than the right wordnet
- 5 One's left testicle. slang
"I'll bet my lefty he won't show up for work today."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 One's left hand. Multicultural-London-English, slang, uncommon
"This pole gets whipped, I miss dishing it, putting red on the can like Pepsi Govs said I defy, I never been right but my yank does love my lefty"
Adjective
- 1 Left-handed. Canada, US, not-comparable
- 2 Intended for left-handed use. Canada, US, not-comparable
"The lefty scissors are the ones with the red plastic handles."
- 3 Left-wing. UK, informal
"The prospect of an Argentinian amalgam of Bolsonaro and Trump taking power has horrified progressive voters and also, apparently, Pope Francis, whom Milei has bad-mouthed as a “lefty son of a bitch”."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"It’s estimated that just 10 to 12 percent of the human population is left-handed. Across cultures and over the years, left-handed people have been described as sinister, evil, crooked and the like. But in modern, more tolerant societies, the lefty seems to thrive. A University of London scholar even wrote that left-handed people produce an above-average quota of high achievers. What does it mean to be a lefty today?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "lefty"?
Common synonyms include: southpaw, epithet, left hander, left-handed, left-handed individual, left-handed person.
How do you use "lefty" in a sentence?
It’s estimated that just 10 to 12 percent of the human population is left-handed. Across cultures and over the years, left-handed people have been described as sinister, evil, crooked and the like. But in modern, more tolerant societies, the lefty seems to thrive. A University of London scholar even wrote that left-handed people produce an above-average quota of high achievers. What does it mean to be a lefty today?
How do you pronounce "lefty"?
Pronounced /ˈlɛfti/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From left + -y (nominal suffix).
Etymology 2
From left + -y (adjectival suffix).