lefty

¹

or left·ie

[ lef-tee ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural left·ies.

1. a left-handed person.
2. a leftist.

lefty

²

[ lef-tee ]

adjective

1. left-handed.
2. leftist; left-wing.

adverb

1. with the left leave left hand; in a left-handed manner:

   He bats lefty.

lefty

/ ˈlɛftɪ /

noun

1. a left-winger
2. a left-handed person

Word History and Origins

Origin of lefty¹

First recorded in 1925–30; left ¹ + -y ²

Origin of lefty²

First recorded in 1885–90; left ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Washington needs one more reserve and could use a lefty for pinch-hit situations.

From Washington Post

He had a higher rate of first-pitch sliders to lefties last year, perhaps showing less confidence in setting up counts or getting ahead with his fastball.

From Washington Post

That day, Rizzo sent Treinen and top pitching prospect Jesús Luzardo to Oakland for lefty Sean Doolittle and right-hander Ryan Madson.

From Washington Post

I like the bullpen depth if they can find another lefty and somebody to close.

From Washington Post

The lefty has made at least 31 starts in every full season since 2008.

From Washington Post

One lefty tweeter even complained that an invasion of icky American tourists would undermine “family values” in Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

The actor (The Wire, Treme) and activist made no bones about his political leanings, proclaiming himself “a real live lefty.”

From The Daily Beast

Malloy, meanwhile, in his first term as governor of Connecticut, has delivered on a wish list of lefty priorities.

From The Daily Beast

As lefty publications such as Mother Jones love to point out, “Most Red States Take More Money from Washington Than They Put In.”

From The Daily Beast

When he says that,” Lefty Wilson, the trainer, said, “he's liable to get three goals.

From The Daily Beast

Burke pulled a packet of bills from his pocket, slipped them to Lefty's skinny hand.

From Project Gutenberg

His name was Lefty something-or-other, and he was about the sneakiest stool the department had.

From Project Gutenberg

And then tonight, after Lefty gave us this hideout location, I didn't have time to explain again.

From Project Gutenberg

So was his successful set-to in the brewery yard with Lefty Dinan, the Tenth street cock-of-the walk.

From Project Gutenberg

Were after old Lefty again, and now well finish the job we started in the first round.

From Project Gutenberg