Laevorotatory is a term commonly used in chemistry and physics to describe the rotational direction of polarized light. However, there are several synonyms for this word that can be useful to know. One synonym is levorotatory, which is simply a variation in spelling. Another option is counterclockwise, which describes the same leftward direction as laevorotatory. A third synonym is left-handed, which describes the same rotational direction as laevorotatory but is commonly used in biology and physiology. Other synonyms for laevorotatory include L-, levo-, and S-. Knowing these synonyms can help to clarify scientific discussions about the rotation of polarized light.