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Lefty
/ˈlɛfti/
left-handed person
Lefty can use scissors designed for right-handed people with practice.
A left-handed person can learn to use tools made for right-handed users.
neutral
A person who uses their left hand as their dominant hand.
As a lefty, she struggled to find ergonomic scissors.
Left-handed individuals often face challenges with right-handed tools.
Commonly used in casual and formal contexts. May also refer to objects designed for left-handed use.
adjective
Left-handed.
He is a lefty batter in baseball.
He bats left-handed in baseball.
Used attributively (e.g., 'a lefty pitcher').
Collocations
lefty-friendlydesigned for left-handed usersnatural leftysomeone who is inherently left-handed
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding Bias
When referring to left-handed people, use 'lefty' or 'left-hander' neutrally. Avoid phrases like 'unlucky lefty' which may perpetuate stereotypes.
Gold Rule
Capitalization
Capitalize 'Lefty' only when used as a proper noun (e.g., a nickname or brand name like 'Lefty's Diner'). Otherwise, use lowercase (e.g., 'He's a lefty').
Word Origin
From 'left' + '-y' (suffix denoting 'having the quality of'). First recorded in the early 19th century as a colloquial term for left-handed people.
Usage Notes
While 'lefty' is widely understood, some left-handed individuals prefer the term 'left-hander' as it avoids potential negative connotations associated with the word 'left' (e.g., in some cultures, left-handedness was historically stigmatized).
Word Breakdown
left
the left side or direction
root-y
suffix forming adjectives/nouns with the quality of
suffixEnglish Dictionary