Words starting with L

A laboratory is a room or building where scientists, students, or technicians do tests and experiments. It is also a place for medical tests or product testing.

very strong guilt and criticism of yourself after a mistake or failure. It feels painful and harsh, not mild or ordinary.

Lacustrine means connected with a lake, especially in science, geography, or geology. It describes things formed in, living in, or found near a lake.

the visible area of land, especially in the countryside. It can include hills, fields, rivers, and buildings.

To become weak, unhappy, or less active, often because of poor conditions, illness, or lack of care. It can also mean to wait or live in a dull, slow way.

A laptop is a small, portable computer with a screen and keyboard. You can use it on your lap, a desk, or anywhere with power or battery.

Big in size, amount, or number. It often sounds a little more formal than "big" and is common in writing, business, and academic English.

Coming at the end of a period, group, or series. It can also mean the only one left after others are gone.

happening after the expected time, or not on time. It can describe a person, a train, or an event.

Latency is the delay before something starts to work or before you notice a result. It is often used in computing, medicine, and science.

Present but not yet active, obvious, or fully developed. Something latent exists quietly and may appear later.

Clothes, sheets, and other fabric items that need washing. It can also mean the task or business of washing and drying them.

A leaf is the flat, green part of a plant that grows from a stem or branch. It uses sunlight to make food for the plant.

To get knowledge or skill by studying, being taught, or doing something again and again. It can also mean to find out or understand something.

A substance, usually yeast, that makes dough rise. It creates air bubbles and makes bread light and soft.

Food that remains after a meal and is saved for later. It can also mean other things that are left after something is used or taken.

In a way that is allowed by law. It can also mean according to legal rules or official law.

To make something legal, acceptable, or officially approved. It can also mean to make an action or idea seem acceptable.

Informal word meaning in a legal, honest, or real way. It is not standard in careful English, so many speakers prefer "legitimately" or "for real."

A legume is a plant in the bean family, or its edible seed or pod. In everyday English, it often means beans, peas, lentils, or similar foods.

Time when you are not working or doing duties. It is the free time you can use to relax, rest, or enjoy activities.

A recurring theme, idea, image, or tune in a piece of music, a story, or another work. It helps the audience notice an important connection.

To give something to someone for a short time, with the expectation that it will be returned. It is often used for money, books, tools, or help.

To let someone off the hook means to free them from blame, duty, or punishment. It often suggests that they should have been blamed or punished, but were not.

To accidentally reveal a secret before you were supposed to. The person who does this usually did not mean to say it. It often ruins a surprise or exposes private information.

The printed heading at the top of a sheet of paper for letters or official documents. It usually shows a company, organisation, or person's name, address, and logo.

Power or influence you can use to get an advantage. It can also mean the use of borrowed money to increase profits or losses.

the state of being alive, or the period from birth until death. It can also mean the way a person lives.

The natural power that makes things visible. It comes from the sun, lamps, or other sources. It is also the state of not being dark.

Much better, more advanced, or far more successful than someone or something else. It is often used in informal speech and writing.

Feeling awkward, uncomfortable, or out of place in a situation. It is often used when someone does not fit in or does not know what to do.

A liminal situation is between two stages, states, or places. It is a threshold or in-between time, not fully one thing or the other.

Describing a place, state, or moment that feels like a border between two different things. It suggests change, uncertainty, or being in between.

Line art is a drawing or image made only with lines, without shading, colour, or heavy fill. It is often used in design, comics, diagrams, and printing.

A liquid substance flows easily and is not solid or gas. It can be poured or moved from one container to another.

To close a business or company and sell its assets, usually because it cannot continue. It can also mean to sell things and turn them into cash.

To pay attention to sound or to hear carefully. It often means you are trying to understand what you hear.

A picture or page printed from a stone or metal plate. Lithographs are often made as art prints.

Describing the land or plants and animals near a sea, lake, or river. It is a formal word, often used in geography and ecology.

Used when a thought, memory, or person keeps coming back to your mind. It suggests the feeling is hard to stop, often in a slightly annoying way.

To wash a substance with a liquid so that useful parts dissolve and can be removed. In science, it often means to pass liquid through soil or ash.

From or in a particular area, town, or country. A local person or thing belongs to that place or is common there.

Ingredients that come from nearby farms, businesses, or producers. They are not brought from far away.

To enter a computer system, website, or app by typing your username and password, or another sign-in method.

to end a computer or website session so no one else can use your account. It is the opposite of logging in.

Logic is the use of clear thinking to reach a reasoned conclusion. It is also the system or rules behind correct reasoning.

Based on clear thinking and good reasoning. A logical idea, answer, or plan makes sense step by step.

Loneliness is the unhappy feeling of being alone or feeling that no one understands you. It can happen even when other people are around.

Feeling sad because you are alone or do not have enough companionship. It can also describe a place or time with no people or activity.

Measuring a great distance from end to end, or taking a great time. It can also mean more than usual in amount or length.

To become very upset, angry, or confused and start acting in a wild or uncontrolled way. It is often used in speech to describe a strong emotional reaction.

Making a lot of noise. It can also describe a voice, music, or sound that is too strong or easy to hear from far away.

a very strong feeling of liking and caring for someone or something. It can also mean a romantic feeling for another person.

At a small height above the ground or below the usual level. It can describe position, numbers, volume, or quality.

Calm, quiet, and not meant to attract attention. A low-key event or person does not show off or make a big deal out of things.

In informal speech, used to mean slightly, secretly, or not very openly. It can also soften what you say, making it sound less strong.

In a low-key or subtle way; not openly, strongly, or in a very obvious manner. It is often used to describe actions, feelings, or speech that stay calm and unshowy.

Producing a large amount of money or profit. Something lucrative brings in very good financial returns, often more than expected or average.

Looking or sounding very sad, gloomy, or serious. It is often used about a person, face, voice, or mood.

Producing or giving off a soft, cool light through a chemical or physical process — not through heat. Fireflies, deep-sea creatures, and glow sticks are common examples.

Giving off light, or shining with a bright, soft light. It can also describe something that looks very bright or clear.

Lunar means relating to the Moon. It is used in science, space, and sometimes in poetic language. It can also describe things shaped by the Moon's cycle.

Full of healthy, rich plant growth. It often describes a place that looks green, thick, and beautiful.

Lyrical writing, speech, or music is beautiful, emotional, and strongly expressive. It often sounds like poetry, even when it is not poetry.