Reft vs. Left — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Sumaia Saeed — Updated on April 20, 2024
Reft is the incorrect spelling of left. Left refers to the side of the human body opposite to the right, or the act of departing.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Reft or Left
How to spell Left?
Reft
Incorrect Spelling
Left
Correct Spelling
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Remember, "left" is opposite of "right" — both have four letters, making it easy to recall the correct form.
The word left relates to leaving, which involves departing or moving away; think of the 'L' as leading away.
Left has the same 'eft' as in 'deft,' which relates to skill, typically involving hands.
The term left can also mean remaining, as in "left over," suggesting something left behind.
How Do You Spell Left Correctly?
Incorrect: All that was reft were crumbs.
Correct: All that was left were crumbs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Incorrect: He reft his keys on the table.
Correct: He left his keys on the table.
Incorrect: She reft the room quietly.
Correct: She left the room quietly.
Incorrect: They reft the project unfinished.
Correct: They left the project unfinished.
Incorrect: The bird has reft the nest.
Correct: The bird has left the nest.
Left Definitions
The direction or position on the side of the body opposite to the right.
Turn left at the corner.
Remaining after others are gone or dealt with.
Only a few slices of pizza were left.
Pertaining to the political ideology typically associated with progressive policies.
He identifies with the left on most issues.
Of, belonging to, located on, or being the side of the body to the north when the subject is facing east.
Of, relating to, directed toward, or located on the left side.
Located on the left side of a person facing downstream
The left bank of a river.
Often Left Of or belonging to the political or intellectual left.
The direction or position on the left side.
The left side.
The left hand.
A turn in the direction of the left hand or side.
The people and groups who advocate liberal, often radical measures to effect change in the established order, especially in politics, with the goal of achieving the equality, freedom, and well-being of the common citizens of a state. Also called left wing.
The opinion of those advocating such measures.
(Sports) A blow delivered by a boxer's left hand.
(Baseball) Left field.
Toward or on the left.
Past tense and past participle of leave1.
Designating the side of the body toward the west when one is facing north; the opposite of right. This arrow points to the reader's left: ←
The left side.
(geography) Designating the bank of a river (etc.) on one's left when facing downstream (i.e. facing forward while floating with the current); that is, the north bank of a river that flows eastward. If this arrow: ⥲ shows the direction of the current, the tilde is on the left side of the river.
(politics) Left-wing; pertaining to the political left.
On the left side.
Towards the left side.
Turn left at the corner. NO! Your other left.
Towards the political left.
The East Coast of the US leans left in elections.
The left side or direction.
(politics) The left-wing political parties as a group; citizens holding left-wing views as a group.
The Left left workers behind, thinking they had a winning demographic coalition. It hasn't really worked out for them yet.
The left hand or fist.
(boxing) A punch delivered with the left fist.
(surfing) A wave breaking from left to right (viewed from the shore).
Simple past tense and past participle of leave||depart, separate from; (cause or allow to) remain.
There's not much food left.
Simple past tense and past participle of leave||permit.
We were not left go to the beach after school except on a weekend.
Of Leave.
Of or pertaining to that side of the body in man on which the muscular action of the limbs is usually weaker than on the other side; - opposed to right, when used in reference to a part of the body; as, the left hand, or arm; the left ear. Also said of the corresponding side of the lower animals.
Situated so that the left side of the body is toward it; as, the left side of a deliberative meeting is that to the left of the presiding officer; the left wing of an army is that to the left of the center to one facing an enemy.
That part of surrounding space toward which the left side of one's body is turned; as, the house is on the left when you face North.
Put that rose a little more to the left.
Those members of a legislative assembly (as in France) who are in the opposition; the advanced republicans and extreme radicals. They have their seats at the left-hand side of the presiding officer. See Center, and Right.
Location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east;
She stood on the left
Those who support varying degrees of social or political or economic change designed to promote the public welfare
The hand that is on the left side of the body;
Jab with your left
The piece of ground in the outfield on the catcher's left
A turn to the left;
Take a left at the corner
Being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the west when facing north;
My left hand
Left center field
The left bank of a river is bank on your left side when you are facing downstream
Not used up;
Leftover meatloaf
She had a little money left over so she went to a movie
Some odd dollars left
Saved the remaining sandwiches for supper
Unexpended provisions
Intended for the left hand;
I rarely lose a left-hand glove
Of or belonging to the political or intellectual right
Toward or on the left; also used figuratively;
He looked right and left
The political party has moved left
Having departed from a place; no longer present.
She left the office early today.
Refers to a turn or movement in the specified direction.
Make a left turn at the light.
Left Meaning in a Sentence
If you're not right, you're left.
He felt awkward as the only left-hander in the class.
Turn left at the traffic light.
Few cookies were left in the jar.
The left side of the painting is darker.
Make sure nothing important is left behind.
The survivors left the island by boat.
She left the book on the desk.
They left the house at dawn.
She has always been on the left in politics.
The clues left by the burglar helped solve the case.
She left in a hurry to catch her flight.
I left my keys in the car.
The storm left a lot of damage.
The injury caused weakness in his left arm.
There are three chapters left to read.
The movie left me feeling inspired.
He left his job to start his own business.
The left lane is for passing.
He left a note on the refrigerator.
She left the meeting early to attend another appointment.
He's been left out of the team before.
His abrupt departure left everyone stunned.
The left ear is more sensitive than the right.
Left Idioms & Phrases
Left out in the cold
Excluded from a group or activity.
Without the latest software, users of older models are left out in the cold.
Left field
Something unexpected or unusual.
Her comment came out of left field.
Left-handed compliment
A compliment that also insults or criticizes.
Calling her straightforward was a bit of a left-handed compliment.
Left behind
Forgotten or not included.
He felt left behind when his friends went to the movies without him.
Left to one's own devices
To be left to do as one pleases.
The children were left to their own devices all afternoon.
Left in the lurch
To be abandoned in a difficult position without help.
His resignation left the team in the lurch.
Left bank
The side of a river that is on the left when facing downstream.
The Left Bank in Paris is known for its artists and cafes.
Left off
To stop including; to omit.
Her name was left off the guest list.
Left at the altar
To be abandoned by one's intended spouse just before or at the scheduled time of the wedding.
The groom left her at the altar.
Left for dead
Believed to be dead and abandoned.
After the accident, he was left for dead.
Left a mark
To have a lasting effect or impression.
His kindness left a mark on me.
Left on read
When a message is read but not responded to.
I hate being left on read; it makes me feel ignored.
Left over
Remaining after the rest has been used or dealt with.
We had some paint left over after decorating the room.
Two left feet
To be clumsy, especially when dancing.
I can't dance; I have two left feet.
Left to chance
Not planned or controlled; reliant on fate.
We left our holiday plans to chance.
Left turn
A turn or change in direction to the left.
Take a left turn at the next intersection.
Left in the dust
To be far surpassed or left far behind.
The new technology left older models in the dust.
Left in peace
To be allowed to stay alone without being disturbed.
All he wanted was to be left in peace to finish his work.
Left to rot
Abandoned and allowed to deteriorate.
The old house was left to rot.
Left holding the bag
To be left with responsibility, often unfairly.
When the prank was discovered, he was left holding the bag.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in left?
The entire word left is stressed, as it is only one syllable.
How is left used in a sentence?
Left is used to indicate direction, the side of the body, or the state of having departed.
What is the pronunciation of left?
Left is pronounced as /lɛft/.
How do we divide left into syllables?
Left is divided into a single syllable: left.
Why is it called left?
The term left comes from the Old English "lyft," meaning weak or useless, historically the weaker side for most people.
How many syllables are in left?
There is one syllable in left.
What is the opposite of left?
The opposite of left is right.
Is left a noun or adjective?
Left is used as an adjective and also as a verb.
Is left an abstract noun?
Left is not a noun; it is an adjective or verb.
What is the root word of left?
The root of left is the Old English word "lyft," meaning weak or useless.
What is the singular form of left?
The singular form is left.
Is left a vowel or consonant?
Left starts with a consonant (L).
Is left a collective noun?
No, left is not a collective noun.
Is the word left Gerund?
No, left is not a gerund; it is a past participle.
Which determiner is used with left?
Determiners like "the" and "my" can be used with left, e.g., "Turn at the next left."
What is the verb form of left?
Left is the past and past participle form of the verb leave.
What is another term for left?
Another term for left is port, used in nautical contexts.
Is left a negative or positive word?
Left is neutral; it does not inherently carry a positive or negative connotation.
Is left a countable noun?
Left is not a noun; thus, it is not countable.
What part of speech is left?
Left is both an adjective and a verb in its past participle form.
Is the word “left” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Left can function as part of a phrase that may serve as a direct object.
Which preposition is used with left?
Common prepositions used with left include "on" and "to."
Which article is used with left?
Both "a" and "the" are commonly used with left, depending on the context.
Is the left term a metaphor?
Left can be used metaphorically in various contexts, like "left field."
Is the word left imperative?
Left can be used in imperative sentences, typically as a direction, e.g., "Left at the next corner."
Which vowel is used before left?
Typically "a" or "the" as in "a sharp left" or "the left side."
What is the plural form of left?
Left does not change; it remains left.
Is left an adverb?
No, left is not typically used as an adverb.
Which conjunction is used with left?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used depending on the sentence structure.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Credentialled vs. Credentialed
Next Comparison
Weared vs. WoreAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Sumaia Saeed
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
