ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lefty

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫɛfti// UK //lˈɛfti// lefty Informal Slang

n. a person who has left-wing political views. It is a casual way to describe someone who supports social equality and government programs.

n. a person whose political views align with the left wing of the political spectrum. Often carries a dismissive or derogatory tone depending on the speaker's intent.


SIMPLE

He has been a committed lefty since his university days.

CONTEXTUAL

The local newspaper is often accused of being run by lefties who ignore conservative perspectives.

COMPLEX

While the term is frequently used as a casual shorthand among activists, it can also function as a pejorative in polarized political debates to oversimplify complex ideological positions.

Synonyms
Usage

Informal register; can be used neutrally within left-wing circles but is often used as a mild insult by political opponents.

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