leftwards
Definition
- Adverb:
- Toward the left side: "leftwards" means moving, facing, or oriented in the direction of the left side of a person or object, opposite to the right.
Usage Examples
- (The car moved toward the left direction.)
- (She gestured toward the left side.)
- (The arrow indicates a direction to the left.)
Advanced Usage
"to shift leftwards": to move or change position toward the left.
- The political party shifted leftwards in its recent policies. (The party adopted more progressive or left-leaning views.)
"to lean leftwards": to incline or tilt toward the left side.
- The old tower leans slightly leftwards due to erosion. (The tower tilts toward the left.)
Variants and Related Words
Leftward (adj or adv): an alternative spelling or form, meaning the same as "leftwards."
- He took a leftward path through the forest. (He chose a path that went to the left.)
Left (adj, n, adv): the basic word from which "leftwards" is derived; referring to the side opposite of right.
- Please turn left at the corner. (Turn in the direction of the left side.)
Synonyms
- To the left: a phrase meaning in the direction of the left side.
- The library is to the left of the school. (The library is located on the left side.)
- Leftwardly: a less common adverb meaning in a leftward direction.
- The wind blew leftwardly across the field. (The wind moved toward the left.)
Related Idioms
- "Out of left field": something unexpected or surprising (derived from baseball, not directly related to direction).
- His comment came out of left field. (His remark was unexpected and surprising.)
Phrasal Verbs
"Veer leftwards": to suddenly change direction toward the left.
- The driver veered leftwards to avoid the pothole. (The driver swerved to the left to avoid a hole in the road.)
"Lean leftwards": to tilt or incline toward the left (also used in political contexts).
- The fence leans leftwards due to strong winds. (The fence is tilted toward the left.)