leftward

Leftward is an English directional term that means oriented toward or to the left side. It can function as both an adjective and an adverb, and it is often interchangeable with its variant leftwards depending on regional or stylistic preference. As an adjective, it appears in phrases such as a leftward drift or a leftward movement; as an adverb, it can be used in constructions like turn leftward or move leftward.

In usage, leftward is more common in formal, technical, or written contexts, including scientific writing, navigation, and geometry. The related form leftwards is also widely used, particularly in British English. In everyday speech, speakers often favor the simpler expression to the left rather than the directional adverb leftward.

Leftward appears in various domains. In physics, geometry, and design, it describes directionality on diagrams, axes, or vectors. In navigation and map-reading, leftward directions indicate movement toward the left-hand side of a reference frame. In political and social discourse, leftward can describe movements, shifts, or policies that move toward left-wing positions on the political spectrum, for example a leftward drift in public opinion or a leftward policy shift.

The word is formed by combining left with the directional suffix -ward, yielding a compact term that generalizes direction without specifying a specific point. Its use tends to be more precise and formal than simply saying “to the left,” especially in technical writing, while still remaining widely understood in ordinary contexts.