lefty

or left·ie

[ lef-tee ]

/ ˈlɛf ti /

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noun, plural left·ies.Informal.

a left-handed person.

a leftist.

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Origin of lefty

First recorded in 1925–30; left¹ + -y²

Words nearby lefty

left ventricular failure, left ventricular opening, leftward, leftwards, left wing, lefty, leg, legacy, legal, legal age, legal aid

Other definitions for lefty (2 of 2)

lefty²

[ lef-tee ]

/ ˈlɛf ti /

Informal.

adjective

left-handed.

leftist; left-wing.

adverb

with the left hand; in a left-handed manner: He bats lefty.

Origin of lefty

First recorded in 1885–90; left¹ + -y¹

How to use lefty in a sentence

Washington needs one more reserve and could use a lefty for pinch-hit situations.
Gerardo Parra gets a minor league deal and spring training invite with the Nationals|Jesse Dougherty|February 3, 2021|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.
Brad Hand thrived with lower velocity in 2020. With the Nats, he wants to bring back the heat.|Jesse Dougherty|January 26, 2021|Washington Post
That day, Rizzo sent Treinen and top pitching prospect Jesús Luzardo to Oakland for lefty Sean Doolittle and right-hander Ryan Madson.
Brad Hand’s arrival might end a Nationals tradition: The search for summer relief|Barry Svrluga|January 26, 2021|Washington Post
I like the bullpen depth if they can find another lefty and somebody to close.
Jon Lester strengthens the Nationals’ biggest strength — and gives them an undeniable identity|Barry Svrluga|January 19, 2021|Washington Post

The lefty has made at least 31 starts in every full season since 2008.
Nationals and veteran starter Jon Lester agree to one-year deal|Jesse Dougherty|January 19, 2021|Washington Post
One lefty tweeter even complained that an invasion of icky American tourists would undermine “family values” in Cuba.
Castro's Hipster Apologists Want to Keep Cuba ‘Authentically’ Poor|Michael Moynihan|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The actor (The Wire, Treme) and activist made no bones about his political leanings, proclaiming himself “a real live lefty.”
Watch Steve Earle Rant About GOP Victory|The Daily Beast Video|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Malloy, meanwhile, in his first term as governor of Connecticut, has delivered on a wish list of lefty priorities.
Dan Malloy Is Progressives’ Dream Governor. So Why Isn’t He Winning?|David Freedlander|October 30, 2014|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.”
After Cochran’s Win: Red-State Socialism Must Be Stopped!|Nick Gillespie|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When he says that,” Lefty Wilson, the trainer, said, “he's liable to get three goals.
Gordie Howe Hockey’s Greatest War Horse|W.C. Heinz|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Burke pulled a packet of bills from his pocket, slipped them to Lefty's skinny hand.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
His name was Lefty something-or-other, and he was about the sneakiest stool the department had.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
And then tonight, after Lefty gave us this hideout location, I didn't have time to explain again.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
So was his successful set-to in the brewery yard with Lefty Dinan, the Tenth street cock-of-the walk.
The Incendiary|W. A. (William Augustine) Leahy
Were after old Lefty again, and now well finish the job we started in the first round.
The New Boys at Oakdale|Morgan Scott

British Dictionary definitions for lefty

lefty

/ (ˈlɛftɪ) /

noun plural lefties informal

a left-winger

mainly US and Canadian a left-handed person

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012