| L, l | the twelfth letter of the alphabet. |
| lab | short for laboratory. |
| label | a piece of paper or card fixed to something to give information about it (read the ingredients on the label lay-beld lay-bu-ling/, also labelled, labelling (British spelling) to fix a label to (make sure all the parcels are labeled). |
| Labeorphily | collection of beer bottle labels (see list of hobbies) |
| labor | also labour (British spelling) 1 hard work (manual labor). 2 childbirth. 3 all workers as a body (have difficulty in getting local labor). Also adj. vb 1 to work hard (laboring away at their homework). 2 to be employed to do hard and unskilled work (laboring at the building site). 3 to do something slowly or with difficulty (laboring up the hill). |
| Labor Day | a legal holiday celebrated in the US on the first Monday in September. |
| laboratory | a workshop used for scientific experiments (the firm’s research laboratory). |
| labored (British: laboured) | showing a lot of effort or hard work (a labored styled of writing). |
| laborer | also labourer (British spelling) a person who does unskilled work (they were hiring laborers on the building site). |
| labyrinth | Collective noun for magazines (A labyrinth of magazines) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lace | 1 a cord used for tying opposite edges together (a shoe lace). 2 an ornamental network of thread (handkerchiefs edged with lace). vb to fasten with a lace (lacing up her shoes). |
| lacerate | 1 to tear, to wound (her leg lacerated by a barbed wire fence). 2 to hurt badly (he lacerated her with his cruel words). n laceration |
| Lachanophobia | fear of vegetables (see list of phobias) |
| laches | Collective noun for landlords (A laches of landlords) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lack | to want, to need, to be without (she lacks confidence/the organization lacks funds). n want, need (a lack of money). |
| lack | Collective noun for principals (A lack of principals) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lackey | 1 (old) a servant. 2 someone who behaves like a servant (she is always surrounded by lackeys). |
| lackluster (British: lacklustre) | dull, lacking brightness (the pianist gave a very lackluster piano recital). |
| laconic | using few words to express a meaning (a laconic way of speaking). |
| lacquer | 1 a varnish. 2 a substance used to keep hair in place (spray her hair with lacquer). vb to paint with lacquer. |
| lacrosse | a team ball game played with long-handled rackets. |
| lactic | having to do with milk. |
| lacuna | (pl lacunae ) (formal) a gap, a blank (a lacuna in the manuscript/a lacuna in her knowledge of the subject). |
| lad | a boy, a young man (employ a lad to deliver papers/just a lad). |
| ladder | 1 a frame of two poles or planks, joined by short crossbars, used as steps for going up or down (climb the ladder to get to the roof). 2 a tear that runs up or down a stocking or tights (bang her leg and get a ladder in her tights). |
| laden | loaded (trees laden with apples laden with worries). |
| ladle | a large long-handled spoon for lifting liquids (a soup ladle). vb to lift with a ladle (ladling soup into the plates). |
| lady | (pl ladies) 1 a woman of rank or with good manners (behave like a lady). 2 (Brit, cap) the title of the wife of a knight or of a man of higher rank (Lady Mary). 3 (formal) a woman (sometimes “lady” is considered a more polite term than “woman”). |
| ladybug (British: ladybird) | a small beetle, usually red with black spots. |
| lag | (lagged , lagging ) 1 to go too slowly, not to keep pace with, to fall behind (lagging behind the rest of the walkers). 2 not to keep up with (wage increases lagging behind those in other industries). n (informal) an old convict. |
| lager | a light, clear beer of German origin (a glass of lager). |
| lagoon | a shallow salt-water lake cut off from the sea by sandbanks or rocks. |
| laid | pt, pp of lay. |
| laid-back | relaxed; easygoing. |
| lair | a wild beast’s den (the fox’s lair). |
| lake1 | a large stretch of water surrounded by land (Lake Michigan). |
| lake2 | a deep red color (artists using lake). |
| Laliophobia | fear of speaking (see list of phobias) |
| Lalophobia | fear of speaking (see list of phobias) |
| lamb | a young sheep (newborn lambs frolicking). |
| lame | 1 unable to walk well because of an injured or badly formed leg (horses gone lame). 2 not good, inadequate (a lame excuse). vb to make lame. n lameness. |
| lament | 1 to show grief or sorrow for, to mourn for (lament the death of the king). 2 to express regret for (lament the passing of old traditions). n 1 the expressing of great grief. 2 a mournful song or tune. n lamentation |
| lamentable | much to be regretted, extremely unsatisfactory (show a lamentable lack of knowledge/the council’s lamentable record). |
| laminate | to put a thin layer (e.g. of plastic) over something (laminating table tops). Also n. |
| lamp | a vessel for giving light (electric lamps). |
| lampoon | something written specially to make another seem foolish or wicked (journalists lampooning the members of the cabinet). |
| lance | a long spear used by horse soldiers. vb 1 to wound or hit with a lance. 2 to cut open (lancing a boil). |
| lance-corporal | the lowest appointed rank in the British Army, just below that of a corporal. |
| land | 1 the solid part of the earth’s surface (prefer land to sea). 2 country (visit lands overseas). 3 ground, soil (the farmer’s land is very fertile). vb to bring, put, or go ashore, to touch down. |
| landed | possessing land (landed gentry). |
| landfall | 1 a ship’s approach to land at the end of a voyage. 2 the land approached. |
| landfill site | a place where waste material is buried under layers of earth, often excavated for this purpose. |
| landing | 1 the act of going ashore. 2 a place for going on shore (tie the boat up at the landing). 3 the corridor opening on to the rooms at the top of a flight of stairs (children standing on the landing looking through the banisters). |
| landlady | 1 a woman who rents out rooms, flats or houses (their landlady called to collect the rent). 2 a woman who keeps an inn or boarding house (seaside landladies). |
| landlord | 1 a man who rents out rooms, flats or houses (the landlord put up the rent). 2 a man who keeps an inn or boarding house. |
| landmark | 1 an easily recognized object from which travelers can tell where they are. 2 a very important event (a landmark in British history). Also adj. |
| landscape | 1 a view of the country seen from one position. 2 a picture of the countryside (he paints watercolor landscapes). |
| landslide | the falling of a mass of earth, etc, down the side of a mountain (the car was buried in the rocks from a landslide). |
| landslip | a landslide. |
| landward (adjective/adverb) | toward land. |
| lane | 1 a narrow road (country lanes). 2 a narrow passage or alley between buildings, often found in place names (Macondray Lane is cobbled). 3 any of the parallel parts into which roads are divided for a single line of traffic (the fast lane on the freeway). 4 the route intended for or regularly used by ships or aircraft (shipping lanes). 5 a marked strip of track, water, etc, for a competitor in a race (swimming lanes). |
| language | 1 meaningful speech (humans, unlike animals, use language). 2 the speech of one people (the French language). 3 words (obscene language). |
| languid | lacking energy, weak, slow-moving (languid movements). |
| languish | to lose strength, to become weak (she languishes when her lover is away). 2 to experience long suffering (languish in prison). |
| lank | 1 tall and thin, lanky. 2 straight and limp (lank hair). |
| lanky | ungracefully tall and thin (lanky male teenagers). |
| lanolin(e) | a soothing ointment made from fat obtained from sheep’s wool. |
| lantern | a case, usually of glass, that encloses and protects a light (the farmer carried a lantern to go out to the barn). |
| lap | Collective noun for cod (A lap of cod) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lap1 | 1 the seat formed by the knees and thighs of a person sitting (a child sitting on her mother’s lap). 2 one round of a course in a race (a race of ten laps). |
| lap2 | (lapped , lapping ) 1 to lick up (cats lapping milk). 2 to wash against in little waves (the sea lapping the rocks). n the sound made by small waves. |
| lapdog | a small pet dog. |
| lapel | the folded back part of the breast of a coat or jacket (wearing a rose in his lapel). |
| lapis lazuli | a blue precious stone. |
| lapse | 1 a mistake, a small error or fault (apart from occasional lapses, her work is first class/brief memory lapses). 2 the passing (of time) (with a lapse of several years). vb 1 to fall out of use (local customs that have lapsed). 2 to come to an end (their contract has lapsed). 3 to pass gradually into a less active or less desirable state (standards have lapsed). |
| laptop | a small, light computer that can be operated by battery and can be used on someone’s lap. |
| larch | a type of deciduous, cone-bearing tree. |
| lard | the fat of pigs, prepared for use in cooking (they fry the potatoes in lard, not oil). |
| larder | a room or cupboard for storing food. |
| large | more than usual in size, number or amount; big (large sums of money a large house). |
| lariat | 1 a rope. 2 a rope with a running knot for catching animals, like a lasso. |
| Larithmics | study of population statistics (see list of branches of science) |
| lark | 1 a songbird. 2 something done for fun. vb to play tricks. |
| larva | (pl larvae ) the form of an insect on coming out of the egg, a grub. |
| Laryngology | study of larynx (see list of branches of science) |
| larynx | the upper part of the windpipe, containing the vocal chords which produce the voice. |
| lasagne | an Italian dish made from layers of flat, wide pasta, a meat or vegetable sauce and a cheese sauce. |
| laser | a device which produces a narrow beam of concentrated light (a laser beam). |
| lash | 1 the cord of a whip. 2 a blow given with a whip. vb 1 to whip, to strike hard or often. 2 to fasten by tying tightly. |
| lass | a girl. |
| lasso | (pl lassos or lassoes ) a rope with a running knot for catching animals. vb to catch with a lasso. |
| last1 | 1 coming after all others. 2 latest. 3 final. adv at the last time or place. at last in the end. |
| last2 | a foot-shaped block on which shoes are made or repaired. |
| last3 | 1 to go on. 2 to continue. |
| lasting | 1 going on for a long time. 2 remaining in good condition. |
| latch | a small piece of wood or metal for keeping a door shut. vb to fasten with a latch. |
| latchkey | the key for the main door of a house (children given latchkeys to let themselves into their homes). |
| late | 1 arriving after the time fixed (late for the meeting). 2 far on in time (late afternoon). 3 now dead (her late husband). 4 recent (her latest novel late-ness/. of late (formal) recently (she seems tired of late). |
| lately | in recent times, recently (I have not seen him lately). |
| latent | present but not yet noticeable, not fully developed (latent talent). |
| lateral | on, at or from the side (lateral movements). |
| lathe | a machine for turning around wood, metal, pottery, etc, while it is being shaped (turn the piece of wood on a lathe). |
| lather | 1 froth of soap and water (the lather on his face while he is shaving). 2 froth from sweat (the lather on a horse after a race). vb 1 to cover with lather (lather his face before shaving). 2 to become frothy (soap that lathers easily). |
| Latin | the language of ancient Rome. adj 1 having to do with the ancient Romans (the Latin language). 2 having to do with the peoples of France, Italy, Portugal and Spain (Latin peoples). |
| latitude | 1 distance north or south of the equator. 2 freedom from controls (they give their children a good deal of latitude). |
| latrine | a lavatory, especially in a camp or institution. |
| latter | 1 near the end of a period of time (in the latter part of his life). 2 second of two just mentioned (she prefers the former suggestion but I prefer the latter). |
| latterly | recently, lately, in the last part of a period of time. |
| lattice | a network of crossed bars or strips as of wood (a lattice of pastry on the tart). adj latticed |
| laugh | to make a sound expressing amusement or pleasure (laugh at his jokes). n the sound of laughing. |
| laughable | causing people to laugh; ridiculous (his laughable attempts to jump the wall). |
| laughter | the act or sound of laughing (listen to the children’s laughter). |
| laughter | Collective noun for hostlers (A laughter of hostlers) (see list of collective nouns) |
| launch | 1 to put into motion, to send on its course (launch a missile). 2 to cause (a ship) to move into the water (launch a new liner). 3 to put into action, to set going (launch an attack). n 1 the act of launching. 2 a large motorboat. |
| launder | to wash and iron (launder his shirts). |
| laundry | a place where clothes, etc, are washed and ironed (take the sheets to the laundry). |
| laurel | 1 a bay tree whose leaves are used for making wreaths of honor. 2 a special honor (win academic laurels). |
| lava | the melted rock emitted by a volcano. |
| lavatory | a room with a toilet. |
| lavender | 1 a plant with sweet-smelling flowers (lavender bushes/branches of dried lavender). 2 a light purple color. |
| lavish | 1 giving freely, generous (a lavish spender). 2 given or spent in great quantities (lavish praise). vb to give or spend lavishly (lavish money on unsound business schemes/lavish attention on his wife). |
| law | 1 a rule or set of rules laid down for a people or a group of people by a person or persons with recognized authority (the laws of the land). 2 in science, a statement of the way in which objects regularly behave. |
| law-abiding | obeying the law (law-abiding people living next door to vandals). |
| lawful | allowed by law (his lawful wife). |
| lawless | not keeping the laws, wild (a lawless mob destroying property). |
| lawn tennis | tennis played on a grass court (the lawn tennis finals at Wimbledon). |
| lawn1 | a stretch of carefully kept grass in a garden (mow the lawn). |
| lawn2 | a type of fine linen (a dress of white lawn). |
| lawnmower | a machine for cutting grass. |
| lawsuit | claiming before a judge that another has broken the law (start a lawsuit against the person who slandered her). |
| lawyer | someone skilled in the law (the lawyer who arranged the divorce). |
| lax | not sufficiently strict or severe (lax lax teachers too lax with the pupils). |
| laxative | a medicine that causes or helps the bowels to empty. Also adj. |
| lay1 (past tense) | of lie. |
| lay2 | (pt, pp laid ) 1 to cause to lie (lay the injured woman on the ground). 2 to place (lay the books on the table). 3 to make ready (lay the table). 4 to produce eggs. 5 to bet. lay by, lay up to store for the future (lay up trouble for himself). lay oneself open to to put yourself into the position of receiving (lay yourself open to accusations of theft). |
| lay3 | (old) a poem or song. |
| lay4 | 1 having to do with people who are not members of the clergy. 2 not expert (lay people who do not understand technical language). |
| layer | an even spread of one substance over the surface of another (layers of chocolate sponge). |
| layman | 1 someone who is not a clergyman. 2 someone who is not an expert or specialist (the doctor tried to explain the situation in layman’s terms). |
| laze | to be lazy, to do nothing (holiday-makers lazing on the beach). |
| lazy | unwilling to work, liking to do nothing (too lazy to do any work lay-zee-ness/. |
| lb | abbreviation for pound |
| lead1 | 1 a soft heavy metal (roof covering made of lead). 2 the stick of black lead or graphite in a pencil. 3 a piece of lead attached to a cord for finding the depth of water. 4 npl leads the sheets of lead used for covering roofs. |
| lead2 | (pt, pp led ) 1 to go in front to show the way, to guide (lead the mountaineers up the cliff face). 2 to act as a chief or commander (he was leading the attacking troops). 3 to influence (she is easily led). 4 to spend (life) in a certain way (lead a quiet life). n 1 a guiding suggestions or example (follow their lead/police looking for a lead). 2 a chief part (she has the lead in a local production of “Saint Joan”. 3 the position ahead of all others (she is in the lead in the race). 4 a cord, etc, for leading a dog (put the dog on a lead). |
| leader | 1 someone who shows the way (act as leader up the mountain track). 2 someone who gives orders or takes charge (the leader of the attacking force). 3 a person or thing that is ahead of others (the leader in the competition). 4 a newspaper article giving an opinion on a news item of interest (also leading article). n leadership |
| leading | chief, most important (leading politicians). |
| leading question | a question asked in such a way as to suggest the answer desired. |
| leaf | (pl leaves ) 1 one of the thin, flat usually green blades growing out of the stem of a plant or the branch of a tree (leaves changing color in autumn). 2 a single sheet of paper in a book with pages printed on both sides (turn over the leaves of the book). 3 the movable part of a table-top or double door (put in the extra leaf in the table). turn over a new leaf to begin to live or act in a better way (he has been in prison but he has decided to turn over a new leaf). |
| leaflet | 1 a printed sheet of paper, usually folded and free of charge, containing information (an advertising leaflet/a leaflet on dental care). |
| leafy | full of leaves (leafy lanes). |
| league | Collective noun for nations (A league of nations) (see list of collective nouns) |
| league1 | a measure of distance (about three miles). |
| league2 | 1 a group of people or nations bound by agreement to help each other (the League of Nations). 2 a group of sports clubs or players that play matches among themselves (a cricket league/a darts league). vb (formal) to join together, to unite (leaguing together to plot against the king). |
| leak | 1 a hole by which water escapes (e.g. from a pipe) or enters a dry place. 2 a small accidental hole or crack through which something flows in or out. 3 the accidental or intentional making public of secret information (a leak to the press about confidential government matters). vb 1 to let water in or out (the roof is leaking). 2 to get out through a hole or crack (gas leaking). 3 to make public that which is secret (leak confidential information to the press). |
| leakage | act of leaking. |
| leaky | (informal) having leaks (leaky roof). |
| lean1 | (pt, pp leaned or leant ) 1 to slope to one side (the building leans to the right). 2 to bend (she leant down to pat the dog). 3 to rest against (the ladder was leaning against the wall). 4 to have a preference for (he leans toward the right of the political party). |
| lean2 | 1 not having much fat (lean meat). 2 thin, healthily thin (fit lean athletes). n meat without fat. n leanness |
| leaning | preference, liking (what are his political leanings). |
| leap | (pt, pp leaped or leapt ) to jump (leap out of bed/the deer leapt the fence). n 1 a jump (clear the wall in one leap). 2 the height or distance jumped. |
| leap | Collective noun for leopards (A leap of leopards) (see list of collective nouns) |
| leap year | a year in which there are 366 days, occurring once every 4 years. |
| leapfrog | a game in which one player leaps over the others while they are bent over. |
| leaping | Collective noun for lords (A leaping of lords) (see list of collective nouns) |
| learn | (pt, pp learned or learnt ) 1 to gain knowledge or skill, to find out how to do something (learn French/learn how to swim). 2 to come to understand, to realize (she must learn that she has to consider others). 3 to memorize, to fix in the memory (learn a poem by Keats). |
| learned | having much knowledge, gained by study. |
| learner | someone who is learning (a learner driver/learners of English as a foreign language). |
| learning | knowledge gained by study (a man of learning). |
| learning disability | often shortened to LD, a problem that someone has in learning basic skills such as reading, which is caused by a physical condition. |
| lease | an agreement by which the use of house or land is given to another in return for a fixed annual amount or rent. vb to give or take on lease (leasing a house). |
| leash | a cord or strap for leading animals (asked to keep her dog on a leash in the park). vb to hold on a leash. |
| leash | Collective noun for greyhounds (A leash of greyhounds) (see list of collective nouns) |
| least | smallest (the least inconvenience). Also n. adv in the smallest degree (I don’t mind in the least). |
| leather | material made by preparing animal skins in a certain way (coats made of leather). Also adj. vb (informal) to beat, to thrash (leathered by his father for lying). adj leathery |
| leave | 1 permission (she received leave to go home early). 2 permitted absence (on sick leave). 3 holiday (on annual leave). 4 farewell (he took his leave from them). vb (pt, pp left ) 1 to give to another at your death (he left all his money to his son). 2 to cause to be or remain in a particular state or condition (leave the door open/ leave the country without a leader). 3 to go without taking (leave her gloves on the counter). 4 to depart (leave home at an early age). 5 to desert (he has left his wife). 6 to entrust to another (leave getting the food to him). 7 to allow to remain unused, untaken, uneaten, etc (she left most of the meal). |
| leaves | pl of leaf. |
| lectern | a reading desk for standing at (the lectern on the stage of the hall). |
| lecture | 1 a talk on a certain subject (go to a lecture on local history). 2 a scolding (get a lecture from their mother on good manners). vb 1 to give a lecture. 2 to scold. |
| lecturer | 1 someone giving a talk (introduce the lecturer on local history). 2 someone who teaches in a college or university. |
| led | pt, pp of lead |
| ledge | 1 a narrow shelf (a window ledge). 2 a ridge (climbers sheltering on a ledge). |
| ledger | the chief account book of a business. |
| leech | 1 a blood-sucking worm (leeches used to be used in medicine). 2 (old) a doctor. |
| leek | a vegetable with broad flat leaves (a soup made with leeks). |
| leer | to look at sideways in a sly or unpleasant way (he leered at the girl). Also n. |
| left | pt, pp of leave. |
| left2 | 1 the side opposite to the right (drive on the left of the road). 2 (cap) supporters of varying degrees of political, social and intellectual change. adj of or relating to the political or intellectual left. |
| left-handed | better able to use the left hand than the right (left-handed people). |
| leg | 1 one of the limbs on which an animal stands or moves. 2 a support for a table, chair, etc (a table with uneven legs). on one’s last legs near the end of your power, life, etc (the firm is on its last legs). pull a person’s leg to play a joke on someone (he was pulling her leg when he said there was a bear standing behind her). |
| legacy | that which is left to someone by will (receive a legacy from his uncle). |
| legal | 1 having to do with the law (legal proceedings). 2 allowed by law (legal activities). |
| legality | lawfulness (question the legality of his actions). |
| legalize | also legalise (British spelling) to make lawful (a suggestion that some drugs should be legalized). |
| legend | 1 an ancient story passed on by word of mouth (legends about giants). 2 the words written under a picture, etc (the legend below the illustration is wrong). |
| legendary | 1 having to do with ancient legends, famous in story, existing only in story (legendary beasts her legendary beauty). |
| leggings | a thick covering for the lower leg (girls wearing leggings and short skirts). |
| leggy | (informal) having very long legs (leggy young women). |
| leghorn | a type of hen. |
| legible | possible to read (handwriting that is scarcely legible). n legibility |
| legion | 1 a Roman regiment or division (3000–6000 soldiers). 2 a great number (people came to hear him in their legions). |
| legion | Collective noun for devils (A legion of devils) (see list of collective nouns) |
| legionary | a soldier belonging to a legion. |
| legislate | to make laws (legislating against smoking in public buildings). |
| legislation | 1 the act of making laws. 2 the laws made (new legislation brought in against the import of certain goods). |
| legislative | having the power or right to make laws (a legislative assembly). |
| legislator | someone who makes laws. |
| legislature | the part of a government that makes laws. |
| legitimate | 1 allowed by law, lawful (a legitimate claim/a legitimate business). 2 born of married parents (they married just before their daughter was born so that she would be legitimate). |
| legume | a plant that bears seeds in pods (e.g. peas, beans, etc). |
| leisure | spare time, time free from work (little time for leisure/leisure activities). |
| leisurely | slow, unhurried (work at a leisurely pace). Also adv. |
| lemming | a small rat-like animal of far northern regions. |
| lemon | 1 a pale yellow sharp-tasting fruit (buy lemons to flavor the drinks). 2 the tree bearing this fruit. 3 a pale yellow color (paint the walls lemon). |
| lemonade , lemon squash | a drink made from or tasting of lemon juice. |
| lemur | a monkey-like animal. |
| lend | (pt, pp lent ) to give something to another on condition that it is returned after use (lend her a book len-der/. |
| length | measurement from end to end of space or time (measure the length of the room/ estimate the length of a journey). at length 1 at last (at length we understood what he was trying to say). 2 taking a long time, in detail (she explained it at length). |
| lengthen | to make or become longer (curtains requiring to be lengthened). |
| lengthwise (British: lengthways) | in the direction of the length (measure the room lengthways). |
| lengthy | very long (a lengthy sermon/a lengthy delay). |
| lenient | 1 merciful (a lenient judge). 2 not severe (a lenient sentence). n lenience , leniency |
| lens | a transparent substance, usually glass, with a surface curved in such a way that objects seen through it appear bigger or smaller. |
| Lent | the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter during which Christ’s fast in the desert is commemorated. |
| lentil | the edible seed of a pea-like plant (a soup made of lentils). |
| leopard | a large, spotted animal of the cat family. |
| leper | a person with leprosy. |
| Lepidopterology | study of butterflies and moths (see list of branches of science) |
| Lepidopterophobia | fear of butterflies and moths (see list of phobias) |
| Lepraphobia | fear of leprosy (see list of phobias) |
| leprechaun | in fairytales, an elf, especially in Ireland. |
| Leprology | study of leprosy (see list of branches of science) |
| Leprophobia | fear of leprosy (see list of phobias) |
| leprosy | an infectious disease that eats away the skin and parts of the body. adj leprous |
| lesion | (formal) an injury, a wound (lesions on his back caused by a beating). |
| less | smaller, not so much (earn less money). n a smaller amount (she gave him less). adv not so greatly, not so much (she likes him less now). |
| lessen | to make or become less (lessen the pain). |
| lesser | less, smaller (a lesser problem). |
| lesson | 1 something that is learned or taught (give French lessons/take piano lessons). 2 a period of teaching (feel ill during the science lesson). 3 a passage read from the Bible (read the lesson in church). 4 an example (her courage is a lesson to us all). |
| let | (let , letting ) 1 to allow (let the children go to the cinema). 2 to allow the use of for rent or payment (let a room in their house to a student). n the act of letting for rent (a short-term let). |
| lethal | causing death (a lethal dose of poison). |
| lethargic | sleepy, slow-moving, lacking interest (feel lethargic after her illness). |
| lethargy | lack of energy and interest (the lethargy brought on by extreme heat). |
| letter | 1 a sign standing for a sound (the letter “h”). 2 a written message (write a letter of apology). 3 (formal) pl literature, learning (men of letters). letter of credit a letter allowing the holder to draw money when away from home. to the letter exactly (carry out her instructions to the letter). |
| lettered | (formal) well read. |
| lettering | letters that have been drawn, painted, etc (lettering on shop windows). |
| lettuce | a plant whose leaves are used in salads (a salad of lettuce and tomatoes). |
| leukemia | also leukaemia (British spelling) a serious disease in which too many white blood cells are produced. |
| Leukophobia | fear of the color white (see list of phobias) |
| levee | 1 (old) a morning party at which guests were introduced to the king or queen. 2 a raised bank at the side of a river. |
| level | 1 a flat, even surface (he can walk on the level but not uphill). 2 a sealed tube filled with alcohol and containing an air bubble that is stationary in the middle of the tube when it is level in order to set horizontal surfaces. 3 a general standard of quality or quantity (a high level of achievement). 4 a horizontal division or floor in a house, etc (a garden on two levels). adj 1 flat. 2 even. 3 on the same line or height. vb (leveled , leveling ) 1 to make flat (level the ground). 2 to make equal (level the score). 3 to destroy, to demolish (the bulldozer leveled the block of flats). 4 to aim (level his gun at the enemy soldier). |
| level crossing | a place where a railway line crosses the surface of a road (the car had to stop at the level crossing until the train passed). |
| level-headed | sensible (he is very level-headed and dealt with the emergency calmly and efficiently). |
| lever | a bar for raising heavy objects (use a lever to remove the tire from the wheel). |
| leverage | power gained by the use of a lever (not enough leverage to raise the huge metal block). |
| leveret | a young hare. |
| leviathan | 1 a sea monster. 2 anything very large. |
| levity | (formal) lack of seriousness (treating the matter of her exams with too much levity). |
| Levophobia | fear of things to the left side of the body (see list of phobias) |
| levy | 1 to bring together men to form an army. 2 to collect money for a tax (levied taxes on alcohol). n 1 the soldiers who have been assembled. 2 the money that has been collected. |
| lewd | indecent, obscene (singing lewd songs). n lewdness |
| lexicographer | someone who prepares a dictionary. |
| Lexicology | study of words and their meanings (see list of branches of science) |
| lexicon | a dictionary. |
| liability | 1 debt (liabilities that exceed his assets). 2 the state of being liable (his liability to colds/exempt from any liability in the matter). 3 something for which someone is responsible (the dog is his liability). |
| liable | 1 likely to have to do or suffer from (liable to lose her temper liable to flood). 2 legally responsible for (liable for his wife’s debts). 3 likely to get, be punished with, etc (trespassers are liable to a large fine). |
| liaison | 1 a close connection or working association (important that the two departments maintain a liaison). 2 (formal) an unlawful sexual relationship (he had a liaison with a married women). |
| liar | someone who tells lies. |
| libel | something written that damages a person’s reputation (being sued for libel). Also vb (libeled , libeling ). |
| libelous | hurtful to someone’s reputation (a libelous statement in the newspapers). |
| liberal | 1 generous (a liberal supply of food). 2 ready to accept new ideas (liberal attitudes). 3 (of education) intended solely to develop the powers of the mind. n someone who believes in greater political freedom. |
| liberality | (formal) readiness to give to others (the liberality of their host). |
| liberate | to set free (liberating the city held by the enemy). n liberation |
| libertine | (formal) someone who openly leads a wicked, immoral life. |
| liberty | 1 freedom (ex-prisoners enjoying new-found liberty). 2 the right to do as you like (you are at liberty to leave if you wish). 3 too great freedom of speech or action (it was taking a liberty to borrow my car without permission). |
| librarian | someone in charge of a library. |
| library | 1 a collection of books (a fiction library and a reference library). 2 a room or building in which books are kept (build a new library). |
| library | Collective noun for books (A library of books) (see list of collective nouns) |
| libretto | (pl libretti ) the book of words of an opera or musical work (he wrote the music and his wife the libretto). |
| lice | see louse. |
| license | also licence (British spelling) 1 a written permission to do or keep something (a license to drive a car). 2 (formal) too much freedom of action (allow his children too much license). vb 1 to give a license to (he is licensed to sell alcohol). 2 to give permission to. |
| licensee | someone to whom a license is given (the owner of the pub is the licensee). |
| licentiate | someone who, having passed the necessary examinations, is allowed to carry on a certain profession. |
| licentious | (formal) behaving in an immoral or improper way, indecent (he was licentious as a young man but regrets it now). n licentiousness |
| lichen | a moss that grows on rocks, tree trunks, etc. |
| Lichenology | study of lichens (see list of branches of science) |
| licit | (formal) lawful (licit pleasures). |
| lick | 1 to pass the tongue over (the dog licked her hand). 2 to take (food or drink) into the mouth with the tongue (lick the ice cream). 3 (informal) to defeat (we licked the other team). 4 (informal) to thrash (he will get licked for breaking the window). n 1 act of passing the tongue over. 2 a blow. |
| licking | (informal) a thrashing (get a good licking for breaking the window). |
| licorice | 1 a black sweet-tasting root used in making medicines and sweets and candy. 2 a kind of sweet made from this. |
| lid | the movable cover of a pot, box, etc (the lid of the jar is stiff). |
| lie | Collective noun for golfers (A lie of golfers) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lie1 | a statement that the maker knows to be untrue (tell a lie to try to avoid being punished). vb (lied , lying ) to tell a lie (it was obvious that he was lying). |
| lie2 | lay , (lying , lain ) 1 to put the body full length upon (she wants to lie on the beach all day). 2 to be or remain in a certain place (the book was lying on the table). n the way in which something lies. |
| liege | (old) 1 someone owing certain duties to a lord. 2 a lord. |
| liege lord | (old) a lord to whom certain duties are owed (the king was the knight’s liege lord). |
| lieu | in lieu of instead of (extra holiday in lieu of wages for working overtime). |
| lieutenant | 1 (formal) someone who does the work of another, deputy (sent one of her lieutenants to deal with the complaint). 2 a naval or army officer. |
| life | (pl lives ) 1 the state of being alive (there is no life left in the injured man). 2 the force existing in animals and plants that gives them the ability to change with the passing of time. 3 liveliness, activity (a house without life after the children left). 4 the time someone has been alive (he worked hard all his life). 5 the story of someone’s life (publish a life of the poet). |
| life cycle | the series of forms into which a living thing changes during its development (the life cycle of the frog). |
| life span | the length of time that someone is likely to live or something is likely to function (The life span of the average soldier was very short then). |
| lifebelt | a belt of a material that floats easily and so helps to prevent the wearer sinking when in water. |
| lifeboat | a boat that goes to the help of those in danger at sea. |
| lifebuoy | an object that floats easily and to which shipwrecked people can hold until help arrives. |
| lifeless | 1 dead (pull the lifeless bodies from the sea). 2 dull (lifeless hair). 3 not lively (a lifeless performance). |
| lifelike | seeming to have life (a lifelike portrait). |
| lifelong | lasting through life (a lifelong friendship). |
| life-size , life-sized | of the same size as the person or thing represented (a life-size statue of the king). |
| lifestyle | the way in which someone lives (an affluent lifestyle). |
| lifetime | the length of time a person lives (he experienced several wars in his lifetime). |
| lift | 1 to raise up higher (lift the flag above his head). 2 to take up (lift the baby from the pram). n 1 a machine by which people or goods are carried from floor to floor of a building. 2 a free ride in a private vehicle (get a lift to work from his neighbor). |
| ligament | a band of tough substance joining bones together at joints (strain a ligament). |
| ligature | 1 (formal) a bandage. 2 a cord for tying up the end of a blood vessel during an operation. 3 two letters joined together in type (e.g. æ). |
| light bulb | a glass bulb containing a wire (filament) or a gas that glows when it is supplied with electricity. |
| light year | the distance light travels in a year. |
| light1 | 1 that which makes it possible for the eye to see things. 2 anything that gives light, as the sun, a lamp, etc (a bedside light). 3 knowledge, understanding (unable to throw any light on the problem). 4 brightness in the eyes or face (a light in his eye). adj 1 clear, not dark (it’s getting light). 2 not deep or dark in color (light green lit/) to give light to, to set fire to (light the fire). |
| light2 | 1 not heavy (light loads). 2 not difficult (light tasks). 3 not severe (a light punishment). 4 small in amount (a light rainfall). 5 not serious, for entertainment (light reading). 6 graceful (light on her feet). 7 happy, merry (light of heart). |
| light3 | to come upon by chance (light upon the solution). |
| lighten1 | to make bright (lighten the mood). |
| lighten2 | to make less heavy (lighten the load). |
| lighter1 | a device for setting something (e.g. a cigarette) alight. |
| lighter2 | a large boat, usually flat-bottomed, for carrying goods from ship to shore. |
| light-fingered | (informal) thieving (detectives watching for light-fingered people in shops). |
| light-footed | nimble, quick on your feet (light-footed dancers). |
| light-headed | giddy, dizzy (feel light-headed after drinking the wine). |
| light-hearted | 1 merry, cheerful. 2 not serious (a light-hearted account of the event). |
| lighthouse | a tower with a light to guide ships. |
| lightning | the electric flash seen before thunder is heard (a tree struck by lightning). |
| lightning rod , lightning conductor | a metal rod that protects a building from lightning by conducting the flash to the earth. |
| lights | the lungs of an animal, such as a sheep, used as food. |
| lightship | an anchored ship with a light to guide other ships. |
| lignite | a type of brown coal. |
| Ligyrophobia | fear of loud noises (see list of phobias) |
| like1 | nearly the same, resembling (have like attitudes they are as like as two peas). (preposition) in the same way as (she walks like her mother). n a person or thing nearly the same as or equal to another (you will not see his like again). |
| like2 | 1 to be pleased by (she liked the play). 2 to be fond of (she likes children/she does not like her next-door neighbor). |
| likeable, likable | attractive, pleasant. |
| likelihood | probability (have little likelihood of success). |
| likely | 1 probable (the likely result). 2 suitable (the more likely of the candidates). adv probably (they’ll very likely arrive late). |
| liken | to compare (she likened her relationship with him to a battle). |
| likeness | 1 resemblance (I saw little likeness between mother and daughter). 2 a picture of a person (the artist’s likeness of his wife). |
| likes | things that are pleasing to someone (we all have our likes and dislikes). |
| likewise | 1 in the same way (he left early and she did likewise). 2 also (Mr Jones was sacked and likewise Mr Smith). |
| liking | a fondness or preference for (a liking for classical music/a liking for fast food). |
| lilac | 1 a small tree with light-purple or white flowers (the sweet smell of lilac). 2 a light purple color. adj light purple (lilac wool). |
| Lilapsophobia | fear of tornadoes and hurricanes (see list of phobias) |
| lilt | to sing cheerfully. n 1 a regular pattern of rising and falling sound (Scots people speaking with a lilt). 2 a cheerful song. 3 a tune with a strongly marked rhythm. |
| lilting | having a strongly marked lilt (a lilting voice). |
| lily | a flower grown from a bulb, often white in color. |
| lily of the valley | a flower with small white bells and a distinctive sweet smell. |
| Limacology | study of slugs (see list of branches of science) |
| limb | 1 an arm, leg or wing (fracture a limb). 2 a branch of a tree (a cat stuck on a limb of the oak tree). |
| limber | (old) a small two-wheeled ammunition carriage that travels with a gun. |
| limber2 | moving and bending easily, supple (he is elderly but still very limber). vb limber up to exercise in order to make more supple (dancers limbering up for a performance). |
| limbo | 1 a place where, it is supposed, the souls of those who die in complete ignorance of God spend eternity. 2 a place where someone is forgotten or neglected, a state of uncertainty (she is in limbo waiting to get the results of three job interviews). |
| lime juice | a drink made from the juice of the lime. |
| lime1 | a white substance got by heating certain kinds of rock. |
| lime2 | 1 a small lemon-like, yellowish-green fruit (flavor the dessert with the juice of a lime). 2 the tree bearing this fruit. 3 the linden tree. |
| limelight | in the limelight in a position in which someone’s actions are followed with interest by many people (senior members of the government always in the limelight). |
| limerick | a humorous or nonsense poem written in a special five-line stanza. |
| limestone | rock containing a lot of lime. |
| limit | 1 a boundary (the limits of his estate). 2 that which you may not go past (the limit of his patience). 3 the greatest or smallest amount or number that is fixed as being correct, legal, necessary, desirable, etc (the government imposed a 4% limit on pay increases). vb to keep within bounds (try to limit your expenditure on entertainment to $50 per week/we must limit the audience to 200). |
| limitation | 1 that which limits (the limitations imposed by time). 2 inability to do something, weakness (all of us have our limitations). |
| limited | 1 small in amount (a limited supply of food). 2 not very great, large, wide-ranging, etc (of limited experience). |
| limn | (old) to draw or paint. |
| Limnobiology | study of freshwater ecosystems (see list of branches of science) |
| Limnology | study of bodies of fresh water (see list of branches of science) |
| Limnophobia | fear of lakes (see list of phobias) |
| limp1 | to walk lamely (he limps after the accident to his leg). Also n. |
| limp2 | 1 not stiff, drooping (limp lettuce leaves). 2 without energy or strength (feel limp after her illness/a limp handshake). |
| limpet | a shellfish that clings tightly to rocks. |
| limpid | clear, transparent (look into the limpid stream). |
| linchpin | 1 the pin passed through the end of an axle to keep the wheel on it. 2 a person who is very important to the running of a form or organization (the senior secretary is the linchpin of the whole firm). |
| linden | a kind of tree with yellow sweet-smelling flowers, the lime tree. |
| line | 1 a small rope or cord (washing hanging on the line to dry). 2 a thin mark made with a pen, pencil, etc (put a line under the important words). 3 a row of persons or things (a line of people waiting to get tickets from the box office). 4 a row of words on a page (there were fifty lines on one page of the book). 5 a short letter (drop him a line to say hello). 6 a railway track (the main London line). 7 ancestors and descendants (of the royal line). 8 a fleet of steamers, airplanes, etc, providing regular services (a passenger line). 9 (informal) the equator. 10 a telephone wire. 11 (informal) way of behaving or of earning your living (what line is he in?). 12 pl the positions of an army ready to attack or defend (behind the enemy lines). vb 1 to mark with lines (age had lined her face). 2 to arrange in a row or rows (lining the children up). 3 to cover on the inside (line the dress with silk). |
| line | Collective noun for kings (A line of kings) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lineage | someone’s ancestors (of royal lineage). |
| lineal | passed down from father to son. |
| lineament | (formal) a noticeable feature of the face (admire her noble lineaments). |
| linear | having to do with lines (a linear diagram). |
| linen | cloth made of flax (dresses made of white linen). |
| liner | 1 a large ocean-going passenger ship. 2 something that lines. |
| linesman | someone who assists an umpire or referee by signaling when a ball is out of play (linesmen on the football pitch). |
| ling | 1 a fish of the cod family. 2 heather. |
| linger | 1 to delay before going (let’s not linger—it’s getting dark). 2 to stay about, to last or continue for a long time (the smell lingered/doubts that lingered). |
| lingerie | women’s underclothing (the shop’s lingerie department). |
| lingo | (informal) a language (he didn’t learn the language of the country and complained about not understanding the lingo). |
| lingua franca | a mixed language in which people of different languages may speak to each other. |
| lingual | (formal) 1 having to do with the tongue. 2 having to do with language. |
| linguist | someone skilled in foreign languages (a linguist looking for work as a translator). |
| linguistic | having to do with the study of languages (note some linguistic changes). n linguistics |
| Linguistics | study of language (see list of branches of science) |
| liniment | an ointment or oil rubbed into the body to prevent stiffness (athletes rubbing liniment into their legs). |
| lining | the covering of the inside of something, such as a garment or box (a coat with a fake fur lining). |
| link | 1 one ring of a chain (break one of the links of the silver chain round her neck). 2 that which connects one thing with another (a link between poverty and crime). 3 in the imperial system, 1/100 part of a chain (= 7.92 inches). vb to connect, to join (the police are linking the three robberies). |
| links | 1 flat sandy, grassy ground by the seashore. 2 a seaside golf course. |
| linoleum | a floor covering made of cloth coated with linseed oil. |
| Linonophobia | fear of string (see list of phobias) |
| Linotype™ | a machine that prepares whole lines of printing type at a time. |
| linseed | the seed of flax. |
| lint | linen specially prepared for dressing open wounds (cover the grazed knee with lint and a bandage). |
| lintel | the wood or stone across the top of a window or door (the tall man hit his head on the lintel of the door). |
| lion | 1 a large flesh-eating animal of the cat family (the large tawny mane of the lion). 2 a famous and important person (the after-dinner speaker will be one of our literary lions). f liones lion’s share the largest share (her big brother always took the lion’s share of the food). |
| lion-hearted | very brave. |
| lionize | also lionise (British spelling) to treat a person as if he or she were famous (he is only a minor poet but he is lionized by the people in the village where he lives). |
| lip | 1 either of the edges of the opening of the mouth (she bit her lip to try to stop crying). 2 the edge or brim of anything (the lip of the cup). |
| Lipperhey, Hans | German-Dutch spectacle-maker and inventor of telescope |
| lip-read | to understand what a person is saying from the movements of his or her lips (she is deaf and she lip-reads well). |
| lipstick | a kind of pencil or crayon used to color the lips (wear bright red lipstick). |
| liquefy | to make or become liquid (butter that liquefied in the heat of the kitchen). n liquefaction |
| liqueur | a sweetly flavored alcoholic drink (drink liqueurs after dinner/a liqueur flavored with coffee). |
| liquid | 1 in the form of a liquid (liquid soap). 2 clear (liquid eyes). 3 (of sounds) smooth and clear, as the letter r or l. n a substance that flows and has no fixed shape, a substance that is not a solid or gas. |
| liquidate | 1 to pay debts. 2 to close down a business when it has too many debts. 3 to put an end to, to get rid of, to destroy (liquidating the terrorist leader). n liquidation |
| liquor | 1 strong alcoholic drink, such as spirits (drink beer but not liquor). 2 the liquid produced from cooked food (the liquor from the baked ham). |
| liquorice | see licorice. |
| lisp | 1 to say the sound th for s when speaking. 2 to speak as a small child does (a little girl lisping a poem). Also n. |
| list1 | a series of names, numbers, etc, written down in order one after the other (making a shopping list/have a long list of people waiting for houses). vb to write down in order (list the people present). |
| list2 | to lean over to one side (boats listing in the storm). Also n. |
| listen | 1 to try to hear (listen to music as she worked). 2 to pay attention to (listen to his mother’s advice). n listener |
| listless | lacking energy, uninterested (feel listless after the long winter). |
| lit | pt, pp of light. |
| litany | a form of public prayer with responses given by the worshippers. |
| litany | Collective noun for lutists (A litany of lutists) (see list of collective nouns) |
| liter | in the metric system, a measure of liquid volume (about 13/4 pints in the imperial system). abbreviation l. |
| literacy | ability to read and write (worried about the lack of literacy in the country). |
| literal | 1 with each word given its ordinary meaning, word for word (a literal translation). 2 following the exact meaning without any exaggeration or anything added from the imagination (a literal account of what happened). adv literally |
| literary | having to do with literature or with writing as a career (have literary tastes). |
| literate | 1 able to read and write (a disturbing number of people who are scarcely literate). 2 having read a great deal (literate people who enjoy discussing books). |
| literature | 1 the books, etc, written on a particular subject (all the literature relating to drug abuse). 2 written works of lasting interest and of fine quality and artistic value (study English literature). |
| lithe | able to bend or twist easily and gracefully (the lithe bodies of the young gymnasts). |
| Liticaphobia | fear of lawsuits (see list of phobias) |
| litmus | a blue dye turned red by acids. |
| litre | British spelling for liter. |
| litter | 1 (old) a light bed that can be carried about, a stretcher. 2 bedding of straw, etc, for animals. 3 the young of an animal born at one time (a litter of five pups). 4 (British spelling) trash; scraps of paper and rubbish lying about (pick up the litter and put it in a bin). vb 1 to throw away untidily (litter the streets with the packaging from fast food). 2 (of animals) to give birth to. |
| litter | Collective noun for cubs (A litter of cubs) (see list of collective nouns) |
| litter | Collective noun for piglets (A litter of piglets) (see list of collective nouns) |
| litter | Collective noun for puppies (A litter of puppies) (see list of collective nouns) |
| litter | Collective noun for whelps (A litter of whelps) (see list of collective nouns) |
| little | 1 small (little black birds). 2 short (he was only a little fellow). 3 young (little children). n 1 a small amount (pay a little at a time). 2 a short time (I’ll be there in a little). adv not much (think little of her work). |
| Liturgiology | study of liturgical forms and church rituals (see list of branches of science) |
| live wire | 1 a wire through which an electric current is passing. 2 a person with a lot of energy (she’s a real live wire who’s fun to have around). |
| live1 | 1 to have life, to exist, to be alive (everything that lives live by hunting). 6 to pass or spend one’s life (living a life of luxury). live down to live in a way that makes others overlook one’s past faults (he will never live it down if his neighbors discover he has been in prison). |
| live2 | 1 having life, alive (a cat with a live mouse). 2 full of energy, capable of becoming active (live electrical wires). 3 heard or seen as the event takes place, not recorded (a live broadcast). 4 burning (live coals). |
| livelihood | the work by which one earns one’s living (earn his livelihood by driving taxis). |
| livelong | 1 seeming long (he snored the livelong night). 2 (formal) whole (children playing in the sun the livelong day). |
| lively | active, energetic, cheerful (a lively child live-lee-ness/. |
| liven | to make more cheerful (try to liven up the party). |
| liver | 1 an organ inside the body that helps to cleanse the blood (get a liver transplant). 2 this organ from certain animals used as food (liver and onions). |
| livery | a special uniform worn by servants in one household (footmen wearing the queen’s livery). |
| livestock | animals kept on a farm. |
| livid | 1 discolored, black and blue (livid bruises). 2 (old) pale (a livid face). 3 (informal) very angry (she was livid with her son for being late). |
| living | 1 a means of providing oneself with what is necessary for life (what does he do for a living?). 2 employment as a member of clergy in the Church of England. |
| lizard | a four-footed reptile with a long tail. |
| llama | a South American animal of the camel family. |
| llano | one of the vast grassy plains of South America. |
| lo (interjection) | (old or lit) look! (lo! a light has suddenly appeared). |
| load | 1 to put a burden on the back of an animal (load the donkey). 2 to put goods into a vehicle (load the van). 3 to put a heavy weight on (load him with responsibility). 4 to put ammunition into a gun (load his revolver). 5 to put film into a camera. n 1 that which is carried (the lorry’s load). 2 a weight (a load on her mind). 3 a cargo (the ship’s load). |
| load | Collective noun for diapers (A load of diapers) (see list of collective nouns) |
| load | Collective noun for dirty clothes (A load of dirty clothes) (see list of collective nouns) |
| load | Collective noun for drunks (A load of drunks) (see list of collective nouns) |
| loadstar | see lodestar |
| loadstone | see lodestone. |
| loaf1 | (pl loaves ) bread made into a shape convenient for selling (a loaf of brown bread). |
| loaf2 | to pass time without doing anything, to laze around (loafing around street corners instead of going to work). n loafer |
| loam | a sand and clay soil. adj loamy |
| loan | that which is lent (get a loan from the bank). |
| loath, loth | unwilling (she was loath to leave home). |
| loathe | to hate (she loathed the nasty old man/loathes living there). |
| loathing | hate, disgust (look at him with sheer loathing). |
| loathsome | hateful, disgusting (a loathsome creature). |
| loaves | plural of loaf |
| lob | (lobbed , lobbing ) to hit, kick or throw a ball gently into the air (lob the tennis ball over the net). Also n. |
| lobby | 1 an entrance hall (hotel lobbies). 2 a group of people trying to influence the decisions of the government (the anti-motorway lobby). vb to try to influence decisions of the government. |
| lobe | the fleshy hanging part of the ear (earrings are worn on the lobes of the ears). |
| lobelia | a kind of garden flower, often blue, white or red in color. |
| lobster | a long-tailed jointed shellfish. |
| lobster pot | a baited basket for trapping lobsters. |
| local | having to do with a particular place (local history/local people). n a local. |
| local color | in a picture or story, accuracy over details of place to make it more realistic (his descriptions of the village inhabitants added local color to his novel). |
| locality | a district, area, neighborhood (she has lived in the same locality for years). |
| localize | also localise (British spelling) to keep to one place or district (the disease seems to be localized). |
| locate | 1 to find the place of (try to locate the source of the infection). 2 to fix or set in a certain place (the houses are located by the village green). |
| location | 1 place (live in a pleasant location). 2 the place where a story is filmed (the filming was carried out on location in Scotland). |
| loch | a lake, especially in Scotland. 2 an arm of the sea. |
| lock | 1 a fastening bolt moved by a key (turn the key in the lock). 2 the part of a gun by which it is fired. 3 a section of a canal, enclosed by gates, in which the amount of water can be increased to raise a ship to a higher level, or vice versa. 4 a firm grasp (the wrestler held his opponent in a lock). 5 a curl of hair. vb 1 to fasten with lock and key (lock the door/lock the safe). 2 to hold firmly (lovers locked in a passionate embrace). 3 to jam, to become fixed or blocked (the car’s wheels have locked). lock, stock and barrel altogether, completely (he moved out of the flat, lock, stock and barrel). |
| lock | Collective noun for hair (A lock of hair) (see list of collective nouns) |
| locker | a small cupboard with a lock (his locker in the changing rooms). |
| locket | a small metal case, often containing a picture, worn on a chain round the neck as an ornament (a silver locket containing a lock of her husband’s hair). |
| Lockiophobia | fear of childbirth (see list of phobias) |
| lockjaw | 1 (fam) tetanus. 2 a condition in which the muscles of the jaw become so stiff that the mouth cannot be opened, usually a sign of tetanus. |
| locksmith | one who makes or repairs locks. |
| lock-up | 1 a cell in a prison (he’s in a lock-up in the local police station). 2 a garage in which a car can be locked away (his lock-up is some way from his house). |
| locomotion | (formal) movement from place to place (the sideways locomotion of a crab). |
| locomotive | a railway engine. |
| locust | a large grasshopper that feeds on and destroys crops (a swarm of locusts destroyed much of the crop before it could be harvested). |
| lode | a vein of metal in a crack in a rock. |
| lodestar | 1 the star by which one sets a course, the Pole star. 2 a guide or example to follow (he was so successful that he acted as a lodestar to his fellow workers). Also loadstar. |
| lodestone | a stone containing magnetic iron, formerly used as a compass. Also loadstone. |
| lodge | 1 a small house originally for a gatekeeper at the entrance to a park, church, etc (he lives in the manor house but his mother lives in the lodge). 2 the meeting place of a society (e.g. Freemasons) or the members meeting there (a Masonic lodge). 3 a house for a hunting party (live at the shooting lodge for the stag-hunting season). 4 a house or cabin used occasionally for some seasonal activity (a ski lodge). vb 1 to put in a certain place (lodge documents with his solicitor). 2 to stay in another’s house on payment (students lodging with locals). 3 to fix in (a bullet lodged in her shoulder). lodge a complaint to make a complaint before an official. |
| lodger | one who stays in hired rooms in another’s house (take in lodgers to make money to live). |
| lodging | a place where one can stay on payment (look for cheap lodging in town). |
| loft | 1 the space or room under the roof of a building (keep old toys and furniture in the loft). 2 a room over a stable. 3 a gallery in a hall or church. vb to strike upward (loft the ball). |
| lofty | 1 (lit) very high (the lofty walls of the city). 2 of high moral quality (lofty aims). 3 proud, haughty (with a lofty disregard for other people’s feelings). n loftiness. |
| log | 1 a piece sawn from the trunk or one of the large branches of a tree (cut logs for the fire). 2 an instrument for measuring the speed of ships. 3 an official written record of a journey (a ship’s log). |
| loganberry | a fruit like a raspberry. |
| logarithms | numbers arranged in a table to help when making calculations. |
| logbook | 1 a book in which the rate of progress of a ship is written daily. 2 an official record of a journey (details of the flight found in the logbook). 3 the registration document of a car. |
| loggerheads | at loggerheads quarrelling (she’s been at loggerheads with her neighbors for years). |
| logic | 1 the art or science of reasoning (study logic). 2 a particular way of thinking or reasoning (we were unable to follow her logic). 3 (informal) reasonable thinking, good sense (there’s no logic in her decision). |
| logical | 1 having to do with logic. 2 well-reasoned (a logical argument). 3 able to reason correctly (logical people). |
| logician | one skilled in logic. |
| Logizomechanophobia | fear of computers (see list of phobias) |
| logo | a special symbol or design that an organization uses on its products, notepaper, etc. (The firm’s logo resembled a thistle). |
| Logophobia | fear of words. (see list of phobias) |
| Loimology | study of plagues and epidemics (see list of branches of science) |
| loin | 1 a piece of meat cut from the back of an animal (a loin chop). 2 pl the part of the human back below the ribs. gird (up) one’s loins to prepare for action. |
| loin-cloth | a piece of cloth worn round the loins (loin-clothes are worn in hot countries, usually by poor people). |
| loiter | 1 to stand about idly (they were loitering near the bank, looking suspicious). 2 to go slowly, often stopping (don’t loiter—you’ll be late for school). |
| loll | 1 to sit back or lie lazily (they lolled in their armchairs while she washed the dishes). 2 (of the tongue) to hang out (thirsty dogs with their tongues lolling). |
| lollipop | a sweetmeat on a stick (children sucking red lollipops). |
| lone | alone, single, without others (a lone piper/a lone figure on the deserted beach). |
| lonely | sad because alone (lonely old people/lonely since her husband died). |
| lonesome | (informal) lonely (feel lonesome when the others are away). |
| long | 1 not short, in time or space (a long meeting a film two hours long). 3 (of drinks) containing little or no alcohol and served in a long glass. adv for a long time. vb to want very much (she longs to see her friend again). |
| longboat | the largest and strongest boat carried on board a ship. |
| longbow | a bow, drawn by hand, for firing arrows. draw the longbow to tell untrue and improbable stories. |
| longevity | very long life (a family noted for its longevity). |
| longheaded | wise, farseeing, shrewd. |
| longing | an eager desire (a longing to be free/a longing for freedom). |
| longish | (informal) quite long (a longish journey). |
| longitude | 1 length. 2 distance in degrees east or west of an imaginary line from pole to pole, running through Greenwich (London). |
| longitudinal | having to do with length or longitude. |
| longshoreman | one who lives or works on the coast or shore. |
| long-sighted | able to see distant objects more clearly than near ones (he is long-sighted and wears glasses for reading). |
| long-suffering | patient, ready to put up with troubles without complaint (their long-suffering mother tried to sort out all their problems). |
| long-winded | speaking or writing in an unnecessarily roundabout way (a long-winded lecturer who bored the whole audience/a piece of long-winded prose). |
| loofa(h) | 1 a marrow-like plant. 2 the fibrous framework of the plant stripped of the fleshy part and used in washing as a sponge (a loofah at the side of the bath). |
| look | 1 to turn the eyes toward so as to see (look at the picture it looks as if it will rain). 3 to face in a certain direction (a house looking south). n 1 act of looking (do have a look to see if they are coming). 2 a glance (have a look at the essay). 3 the appearance, especially of the face (the look of one who has seen a ghost). look after to take care of (look after the children while their mother is away). look a gift-horse in the mouth to say that one is not pleased with a present or to criticize it. look down on to despise (look down on people less well-off than she is herself). look for 1 to try to find (look for the lost book). 2 to hope for (look for mercy from the king). look on to watch (the other boys looked on while the bully hit the younger boy). look out 1 to be careful (look out in case you slip). 2 to watch out for (look out for my sister at the concert). 3 to search for and find, to choose (look out some books for the children to read). look over to examine. |
| looker-on | one who watches or spectates (the lookers-on should have stopped the boys fighting). |
| looking glass | a mirror (the fairy tale told of an enchanted looking glass). |
| lookout | 1 watchman. 2 a post from which one watches. 3 a careful watch (be on the lookout for thieves). |
| loom1 | a machine for weaving cloth. |
| loom2 | 1 to appear gradually and dimly, as in the dark; to seem larger than natural (shapes looming out of the mist). 2 to seem threateningly close (with exams looming). |
| loon | a northern diving bird. |
| loop | 1 a line that curves back and crosses itself (the road makes a loop). 2 a rope, cord, etc, that so curves (loops of ribbon). vb 1 to make a loop (loop the ribbon). 2 to fasten in a loop. |
| loophole | a way of escaping or avoiding something (a loophole in the contract that meant he could withdraw). |
| loose | 1 untied, not packed together in a box, etc (buy loose tomatoes loose the prisoners). |
| loose-leaf | describing a notebook which can hold pages with perforations which can be added or removed. |
| loosen | to make or become loose or less tight (loosen his belt after a heavy meal). |
| loot | that which is stolen or carried off by force (the police caught the burglar but failed to find his loot). |
| lop1 | (lopped , lopping ) to cut off (lop branches off the tree/lop a bit off the price). |
| lop2 | (lopped , lopping ) to hang loosely. |
| lop-sided | leaning to one side (she was lop-sided since she carried a heavy bag in one hand/a lop-sided account of the events). |
| lord | 1 a master. 2 a ruler. 3 a nobleman. 4 a title of honor given to noblemen and certain high officials (e g. judges). 5 an owner. n (cap) God. vb to rule strictly or harshly. |
| lordly | 1 proud, grand. 2 commanding. |
| lordship | 1 the state of being a lord. 2 the power of a lord. 3 the title by which one addresses noblemen, judges, etc. |
| lore | 1 (old) learning. 2 all that is known about a subject, usually that which is handed down by word of mouth (sea lore). |
| lorry | (British) a truck. |
| lose | (pt, pp lost ) 1 to cease to have (lose his eye in an accident). 2 to fail to keep in one’s possession (lose her gloves). 3 to be defeated in (lose the battle/lose the match). 4 to fail to use, to waste (lose no time in asking for a loan). 5 to miss (lose an opportunity). 6 (of a watch or clock) to work too slowly (my watch loses about five minutes a day). 7 to have less of (lose weight). lose one’s head to become too excited to act sensibly. |
| loser | one who loses (the loser of the tennis match congratulated the winner). |
| loss | 1 act of losing (the loss of his wife/the loss of her home). 2 that which is lost (she is a loss to the firm). 3 harm, damage (forced to pay for the losses). at a loss not knowing what to do (at a loss to know what to do). |
| lost | pt, pp of lose. |
| lot | 1 one of a set of objects, a separate part (one lot of clothes). 2 a set of objects sold together at an auction (bid for lot number 3). 3 the way of life that one has to follow (it was his lot in life to work hard and earn little). 4 a large number or quantity (a lot of people a parking lot). |
| lot | Collective noun for parking attendants (A lot of parking attendants) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lot | Collective noun for realtors (A lot of realtors) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lot | Collective noun for salt (A lot of salt) (see list of collective nouns) |
| loth | see loath. |
| lotion | a liquid for healing wounds, cleansing the skin, etc (apply a lotion to her sunburn). |
| lottery | a game of chance in which prizes are shared out among those whose tickets are picked out in a public draw (she had the winning numbers in the lottery). |
| lotus | a type of water-lily whose flower was once said to make those who ate it forget everything. |
| loud | 1 easily heard (a loud voice). 2 noisy (a loud party). 3 unpleasantly bright, showy (loud colors). |
| loudspeaker | a radio apparatus by which sound is transmitted and made louder when necessary (use a loudspeaker to get the competitors to leave the field). |
| lough | a lake, especially in Ireland. |
| lounge | 1 to stand about lazily, to move lazily, to spend time in an idle way (some workers lounging around while others were working hard). 3 to sit or lie back in a comfortable position (lounge in an armchair). n 1 a comfortably furnished sitting room (take her guests into the lounge). 2 a public room in a hotel (the residents’ lounge). n lounger |
| lounge | Collective noun for lizards (A lounge of lizards) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lounge suit | a man’s suit of clothes for everyday wear (it’s not an occasion for evening wear—a lounge suit will do). |
| lour | see lower |
| louse | (pl lice ) a wingless bloodsucking insect. |
| lousy | 1 full of or covered with lice. 2 (informal) very bad, poor (lousy food/lousy weather). |
| lout | a rude and clumsy fellow (the lout who bumped into the old woman). |
| lovable | worthy of love (a lovable puppy). |
| love | 1 a strong liking for (a love of good food). 2 a feeling of desire for (full of love for his wife). 3 the person or thing loved (his first love). 4 (in some games) no score (the score was forty love). vb 1 to be fond of, to like (loving Mexican food). 2 to be strongly attracted to, to be in love with (he loved her and was heartbroken when she left). n lover |
| loveless | 1 with no love (a loveless marriage). 2 unloved (when her mother died the child felt completely loveless). |
| loveliness | Collective noun for ladybirds (A loveliness of ladybirds) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lovelorn | (old) sad because left by one’s lover. |
| lovely | 1 beautiful (a lovely girl). 2 (informal) very pleasing (a lovely day luv-lee-ness/. |
| loving | full of love, fond (a loving smile/a loving mother). |
| low1 | 1 to bellow, as an ox. 2 to moo like a cow (cattle lowing in the field). n lowing |
| low2 | 1 not far above the ground (the picture is too low). 2 not tall, not high (low buildings). 3 small in degree, amount, etc (low temperatures). 4 not high in rank or position (low positions in the firm). 5 cheap (low prices). 6 vulgar, coarse (low humor). 7 dishonorable (a low thing to do). 8 soft, not loud (a low voice). 9 sad, unhappy. low spirits a sad mood. |
| lower1 | 1 to make less high (lower the height of the ceiling). 2 to let or bring down (lower the flag). 3 to make of less value or worth (unfortunately the building of the motorway lowered the value of their property). |
| lower2 | 1 to frown (he lowered angrily when he was told that his team had lost). 2 to become dark (skies lowering). Also lour. |
| lowland | low-lying or level country. |
| lowlander | one born or living in lowlands. |
| lowly | 1 (fml or hum) humble, not high in rank (workers too lowly for the owner of the firm to speak to/a lowly clerk). 2 (old or lit) gentle in manner. |
| Loxodromy | study of sailing along rhumb-lines (see list of branches of science) |
| loyal | 1 faithful to one’s friends, duty, etc (loyal followers). 2 true (he remained loyal to the cause). n loyalty |
| loyalist | one who supports the lawful government of the country. |
| lozenge | 1 a diamond-shaped figure (a sweater with a lozenge design). 2 a small sweetmeat, or medicine in the form of a sweet (cough lozenges). |
| lubricant | oil or grease used to make machinery run smoothly (engine lubricant). |
| lubricate | to oil something to make it run smoothly (lubricating the parts of the machine). n lubrication , lubricator |
| lucid | clear, easily understood (a lucid explanation). n lucidity |
| lucifer | (old) a match. Lucifer 1 the morning star. 2 Satan. |
| luck | 1 the good or bad things that happen by chance, fate, fortune (only luck is involved, not skill a bit of good luck). 2 something good that happens by chance, good fortune (luck was with her). |
| luck | Collective noun for dice (A luck of dice) (see list of collective nouns) |
| luckless | (formal) unfortunate (the luckless loser). |
| lucky | fortunate, having good luck (she is very lucky and is always winning things). |
| lucrative | bringing in much money or profit (a lucrative occupation). |
| ludicrous | funny, silly and laughable (she looks ludicrous in that hat/it was ludicrous to think he could win). |
| Ludology | study of games (see list of branches of science) |
| lug | (lugged , lugging ) to pull, draw or carry with difficulty (lug the trunk down from the attic/lug her bags to the station). |
| luggage | a traveler’s baggage (there was a very long queque of people waiting to check in their luggage at the airport). |
| Luiphobia | fear of lues or syphilis (see list of phobias) |
| lukewarm | 1 quite warm, neither hot nor cold (lukewarm water). 2 not eager (rather lukewarm about the idea). |
| lull | 1 to calm (lull her fears). 2 to send to sleep (the rocking of the cradle lulled the child to sleep). n an interval of calm. |
| lullaby | a song sung to a baby to make it sleep. |
| lumbago | muscular pain in the lower part of the back (have difficulty in bending because of lumbago). |
| lumbar | having to do with the lower part of the back (pain in the lumbar region). |
| lumber | 1 unused or useless articles (clear the lumber out of the attic). 2 wood of trees cut into timber. vb 1 to move heavily and clumsily (a bear was lumbering toward them). 2 to give someone an unpleasant or unwanted responsibility or task (she got lumbered with taking notes at the meeting). |
| lumberjack | someone whose job it is to cut down trees. |
| luminary | 1 (lit) a body that gives light (e.g. the sun). 2 (formal) a person well-known for his or her knowledge, expertise or talent (several luminaries from the world of the theatre were there). |
| luminous | shining, giving light (luminous paint/a luminous watch face). |
| lump | 1 a shapeless mass (a lump of dough). 2 a hard swelling (a lump on his head after being hit with an iron bar). vb 1 to put together as one, to consider together (he lumps all women together as inefficient). |
| lump | Collective noun for oncologists (A lump of oncologists) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lump sum | a single large amount of money instead of several smaller payments (get a lump sum when he retired instead of monthly amounts). |
| lumpy | full of lumps (lumpy custard). |
| lunacy | madness (it was lunacy to walk alone in that district at night). |
| lunar | having to do with the moon. |
| lunatic | a mad person. adj mad, insane, very foolish (what a lunatic thing to do). |
| lunch | a midday meal (have sandwiches for lunch/have a working lunch). vb to take lunch (lunch on fresh salmon). |
| lung | one of the two bodily organs by means of which we breathe (have a collapsed lung). |
| lunge | a sudden move or thrust forward (make a lunge at her with a knife). vb to make a sudden onward movement (she lunged at him with a knife). |
| lupin | a kind of garden plant with a tall stem covered in many flowers. |
| lurch | to roll or sway to one side (drunks lurching down the road). n a sudden roll (the bus gave a sudden lurch). leave in the lurch to leave (someone) in difficulty (he left her in the lurch on her own with a baby). |
| lure | something that attracts or leads on (a lure to customers of free offers). vb to attract, to lead on, as by promise or gifts (try to lure him to join the firm by promises of a high salary). |
| lurid | 1 too brightly colored, too vivid (lurid sweaters). 2 horrifying, shocking (the lurid details of the accident/a lurid sight). |
| lurk | 1 to remain out of sight (photographers lurking behind trees to try to take shots of the filmstar). 2 to lie hidden, to exist unseen (danger might be lurking). |
| luscious | very sweet in taste (luscious peaches). |
| lush | 1 growing very plentifully, thick (lush vegetation). 2 (informal) affluent, luxurious (lush surroundings). |
| lust | a strong or uncontrollable desire, especially for sexual pleasure. vb to desire eagerly (older men lusting after young girls). adj lustful. |
| luster | 1 brightness (the luster of the polished surface). 2 glory (his brave actions brought luster to the family). 3 dress material with a shiny surface. |
| lusterless | dull (lusterless hair). |
| lustrous | bright, shining (lustrous eyes). |
| lusty | 1 strong and healthy, full of energy (lusty young men). 2 strong or loud (lusty singing). |
| lute | (old) a stringed musical instrument, rather like the guitar. |
| Lutraphobia | fear of otters (see list of phobias) |
| luxuriant | growing in great plenty (luxuriant vegetation/luxuriant hair). |
| luxuriate | to live in or enjoy great comfort (luxuriate in a hot, scented bath/luxuriating in the comfort of a high-class hotel). |
| luxurious | 1 fond of luxury. 2 splendid and affluent (a luxurious hotel/a luxurious lifestyle). |
| luxury | 1 great ease and comfort (wealthy people living in luxury). 2 a desirable or pleasing thing that is not a necessity of life (afford luxuries such as perfume). |
| Lycra™ | a stretchy, shiny synthetic fabric used for swimsuits, sportswear, etc. |
| Lygophobia | fear of darkness (see list of phobias) |
| lying | pres p of lie. Also adj. |
| lying | Collective noun for pardoners (A lying of pardoners) (see list of collective nouns) |
| lymph | a colorless liquid in the body (the lymph glands). |
| lynch | to seize someone, judge him or her on the spot and put him or her to death without a proper trial (the mob lynched the child’s murderer before he could be tried). |
| lynx | an animal of the cat family noted for its keen eyesight. |
| lyre | (old) a U-shaped stringed musical instrument similar to a harp, played by the ancient Greeks. |
| lyre-bird | a bird with a tail shaped like a lyre. |
| lyric | 1 a short poem expressing the writer’s feelings. 2 pl the words of a song (the song has rather sad lyrics). |
| lyrical | 1 expressing feeling (lyrical verse). 2 enthusiastic, effusive (lyrical about the beauty of her new baby). |
| Lyssophobia | fear of rabies or of becoming mad (see list of phobias) |
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