4,379 Words That Start With "L"
4,379 words that start with "L" in our 199K-word dictionary.
Browse the complete list of 4,379 English words starting with "L". Each word in the grid below shows its IPA pronunciation, CEFR difficulty level (A1 beginner up to C2 mastery), and a one-line plain-English definition. Click any word to open its full dictionary entry. Use the filters to narrow by length, part of speech, or learner level.
Most Common Words That Start With "L" (Top 1k)
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Laid /leɪd/verb A2
Put something down on a surface; past form of 'lay'.
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Land /lænd/noun A1
The ground or soil that is not covered by water, or an area of property.
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Late /leɪt/adj A1
Arriving or happening after the time it should; not on time.
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Later /ˈleɪtər/adv A1
At a time after now or after something else happens; in the future.
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Laugh /læf/verb A1
To make happy sounds and face movements when something is funny.
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Law /lɔː/noun A1
An official rule made by the government that everyone must follow; if you break it, you can be punished.
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Lay /leɪ/verb A1
To put something down flat on a surface; to place something or someone in a lying position.
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Lead /liːd/verb A1
To show someone where to go, or to be in charge of a group or activity.
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Least /liːst/adv A1
The smallest amount or degree of something; the minimum.
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Leg /lɛɡ/noun A1
The part of your body between your hip and your foot that you use to walk and stand.
Less Common Words That Start With "L" (Top 5k+)
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Label /ˈleɪbəl/noun B1
A sticker or piece of paper attached to something that tells you what it is, what it contains, or how to use it. The information tag on a product or item.
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Labeled /ˈleɪbəld/verb B1
Attached a label to something; put a name or description on something.
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Labor /ˈleɪbər/noun B1
Hard work or effort; or the people who work in jobs and factories (as a group or class).
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Lack /læk/noun A2
When you do not have something you need or want; not having enough of something.
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Laconic /ləˈkɑnɪk/adj C1
When someone says or writes very little, using the fewest words possible to express an idea or answer a question.
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Lady /ˈleɪdi/noun A1
A woman or girl, or a polite and well-behaved female person.
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Lake /leɪk/noun A1
A big area of water surrounded by land, smaller than an ocean or sea.
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Lambast /læmˈbæst/verb C2
Strongly criticize and attack someone verbally. To scold or rebuke them very harshly in public.
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Lament /ləˈment/verb C1
To say that you are very sad or sorry about a loss or mistake.
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Lamp /læmp/noun A1
A light that provides brightness in a room or space, powered by electricity or oil.
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Lampoon /læmˈpuːn/noun C2
A harsh, often funny attack or criticism in writing or speech; something that makes fun mockingly.
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Large /lɑːrdʒ/adj A1
Bigger than normal; having more size or space than expected.
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Last /læst/adj A1
Coming at the end; the final one in a group or order.
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Latino /ləˈtiːnoʊ/noun B1
A person of Latin American origin or descent living in the United States.
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Latte /ˈlɑːteɪ/noun B1
Coffee made from espresso mixed with hot steamed milk and a little foam on top.
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Latter /ˈlætər/adj B1
The second person or thing in a pair you just talked about.
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Laud /lɔːd/verb C2
To praise someone or something a lot and show that you think they are very good. Usually done publicly or formally.
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Launch /lɔːntʃ/verb B1
To officially start or begin something new, like a product, project, or rocket.
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Lawn /lɔːn/noun A1
A grassy yard or field near a house or building that is regularly cut and cared for.
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Lawyer /ˈlɔːjər/noun A1
A person who studies law and helps people with legal problems or represents them in court.
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Layer /ˈleɪər/noun A2
A level or sheet of something; one of several things stacked on top of each other.
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Laying /ˈleɪɪŋ/verb B1
The act of putting something down flat. Example: laying eggs, laying bricks.
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Layoff /ˈleɪˌɑːf/noun B2
When a company permanently ends your job because of business problems, not because you did anything wrong.
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Lazy /ˈleɪzi/adj A2
Not wanting to do much work or effort; preferring to rest instead of being active.
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Leach /liːtʃ/verb B2
When water slowly passes through soil or another substance and carries minerals or chemicals with it.
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Leader /ˈliːdər/noun A1
Someone who is in charge and guides other people in a group, team, or organization.
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Leaf /liːf/noun A1
A thin, flat green part of a plant that grows from branches or stems.
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League /liːɡ/noun B1
An organized group of sports teams that play games against each other.
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Lean /liːn/verb A2
To bend your body or tilt something so it's no longer straight up and down.
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Leaned /liːnd/verb A2
When you bent your body at an angle, not standing straight.
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Leap /liːp/verb B2
to move through the air suddenly and forcefully from one place to another
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Learn /lɜːn/verb A1
To gain knowledge or develop a skill by studying or practicing.
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Learnt /lɜːnt/verb A2
to gain knowledge or skill through study, experience, or being taught. British English form.
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Lease /liːs/noun B2
A legal agreement that lets you use someone's property for a set time. You pay rent regularly, and the owner keeps ownership.
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Leave /liːv/verb A1
To go away from a place; to depart or exit somewhere you have been.
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Leaves /liːvz/verb A1
He, she, or it departs or goes away from a place; present tense form used with singular subjects.
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Led /lɛd/verb A1
When you showed someone the way or guided them to go somewhere.
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Ledger /ˈledʒər/noun C1
The main book where a business records all its money coming in and going out, organized by account type (sales, expenses, assets, etc.).
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Leech /liːtʃ/noun B1
A blood-sucking water worm that sticks to animals or people to feed on their blood.
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Leery /ˈlɪr.i/adj C1
Feeling doubtful or not trusting someone or something; having reservations.
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Left /lɛft/adj A1
On the other side from right; the direction that is opposite to right.
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Legal /ˈliːɡəl/adj B1
Permitted or allowed by law; not against the law.
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Legend /ˈlɛdʒənd/noun B1
A very old story about a person or event that people have told for a long time.
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Lemon /ˈlɛmən/noun A1
A yellow fruit that tastes sour and is often used in drinks and cooking.
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Lend /lɛnd/verb A2
To give something to someone for a short time, expecting them to give it back.
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Length /lɛŋθ/noun A2
How long something is, from start to end; the distance of something.
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Lent /lɛnt/verb A2
When you allowed someone to use your thing for a while before getting it back.
543 More Words That Start With "L" (definitions coming soon)
Words That Start With "L" by Length
2 Letter Words That Start With "L" (20)
See all 20 2-letter words that start with "L" →
3 Letter Words That Start With "L" (78)
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Law /lɔː/noun A1
An official rule made by the government that everyone must follow; if you break it, you can be punished.
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Lay /leɪ/verb A1
To put something down flat on a surface; to place something or someone in a lying position.
See all 78 3-letter words that start with "L" →
4 Letter Words That Start With "L" (261)
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Lack /læk/noun A2
When you do not have something you need or want; not having enough of something.
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Lady /ˈleɪdi/noun A1
A woman or girl, or a polite and well-behaved female person.
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Laid /leɪd/verb A2
Put something down on a surface; past form of 'lay'.
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Lake /leɪk/noun A1
A big area of water surrounded by land, smaller than an ocean or sea.
See all 261 4-letter words that start with "L" →
5 Letter Words That Start With "L" (422)
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Label /ˈleɪbəl/noun B1
A sticker or piece of paper attached to something that tells you what it is, what it contains, or how to use it. The information tag on a product or item.
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Labor /ˈleɪbər/noun B1
Hard work or effort; or the people who work in jobs and factories (as a group or class).
See all 422 5-letter words that start with "L" →
6 Letter Words That Start With "L" (634)
See all 634 6-letter words that start with "L" →
7 Letter Words That Start With "L" (724)
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Labeled /ˈleɪbəld/verb B1
Attached a label to something; put a name or description on something.
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Laconic /ləˈkɑnɪk/adj C1
When someone says or writes very little, using the fewest words possible to express an idea or answer a question.
See all 724 7-letter words that start with "L" →
8 Letter Words That Start With "L" (709)
See all 709 8-letter words that start with "L" →
9 Letter Words That Start With "L" (577)
See all 577 9-letter words that start with "L" →
10 Letter Words That Start With "L" (411)
See all 411 10-letter words that start with "L" →
11 Letter Words That Start With "L" (269)
See all 269 11-letter words that start with "L" →
12 Letter Words That Start With "L" (154)
See all 154 12-letter words that start with "L" →
13 Letter Words That Start With "L" (72)
See all 72 13-letter words that start with "L" →
14 Letter Words That Start With "L" (34)
See all 34 14-letter words that start with "L" →
15 Letter Words That Start With "L" (14)
Words That Start With "L" by Part of Speech
Nouns That Start With "L" (77)
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Land /lænd/noun A1
The ground or soil that is not covered by water, or an area of property.
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Law /lɔː/noun A1
An official rule made by the government that everyone must follow; if you break it, you can be punished.
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Leg /lɛɡ/noun A1
The part of your body between your hip and your foot that you use to walk and stand.
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Lid /lɪd/noun A1
A cover for a container that you can open and close.
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Line /laɪn/noun A1
A thin mark or stroke made with a pencil, pen, or other tool.
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Lip /lɪp/noun A1
One of the two soft, pink parts at the edge of the mouth used for eating, speaking, and kissing.
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List /lɪst/noun A1
A group of items or names arranged one after another that you write down or say.
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Location /loʊˈkeɪʃən/noun A1
A particular place or position where something is, such as a person, object, or event.
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Lot /lɑːt/noun A1
A lot means a large amount or many things. You use 'a lot of' to say there is a big quantity.
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Labor /ˈleɪbər/noun B1
Hard work or effort; or the people who work in jobs and factories (as a group or class).
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Lack /læk/noun A2
When you do not have something you need or want; not having enough of something.
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Lady /ˈleɪdi/noun A1
A woman or girl, or a polite and well-behaved female person.
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Lake /leɪk/noun A1
A big area of water surrounded by land, smaller than an ocean or sea.
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Lamp /læmp/noun A1
A light that provides brightness in a room or space, powered by electricity or oil.
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Landlord /ˈlændˌlɔːrd/noun B2
The owner of a property who rents it to someone else. The landlord collects rent and is responsible for the property's condition.
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Language /ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/noun A1
The words and rules that people use to talk and write to each other; a way people communicate.
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Lawn /lɔːn/noun A1
A grassy yard or field near a house or building that is regularly cut and cared for.
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Layer /ˈleɪər/noun A2
A level or sheet of something; one of several things stacked on top of each other.
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Leaf /liːf/noun A1
A thin, flat green part of a plant that grows from branches or stems.
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Lemon /ˈlɛmən/noun A1
A yellow fruit that tastes sour and is often used in drinks and cooking.
See all 77 nouns that start with "L" →
Verbs That Start With "L" (41)
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Laid /leɪd/verb A2
Put something down on a surface; past form of 'lay'.
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Laugh /læf/verb A1
To make happy sounds and face movements when something is funny.
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Lay /leɪ/verb A1
To put something down flat on a surface; to place something or someone in a lying position.
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Lead /liːd/verb A1
To show someone where to go, or to be in charge of a group or activity.
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Learned /lɝnd/verb A1
Gained knowledge or developed a skill; American English past form.
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Let /lɛt/verb A1
To allow or permit someone to do something; to say yes to what someone wants to do.
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Lie /laɪ/verb A2
To say something false or untrue; to tell an untruth on purpose.
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Like /laɪk/verb A1
To think that someone or something is nice or good; to enjoy something.
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Listen /ˈlɪsən/verb A1
To pay close attention to sounds or to what someone is saying.
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Live /lɪv/verb A1
To be alive; to have your home or exist in a specific place.
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Look /lʊk/verb A1
To turn your eyes to see someone or something; to watch or observe by using your eyes.
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Lose /luːz/verb A1
To not be able to find something anymore, or to stop having something that you once had.
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Love /lʌv/verb A1
Love means to have strong feelings of affection for a person, animal, or thing that you care about deeply.
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Laying /ˈleɪɪŋ/verb B1
The act of putting something down flat. Example: laying eggs, laying bricks.
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Lean /liːn/verb A2
To bend your body or tilt something so it's no longer straight up and down.
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Learn /lɜːn/verb A1
To gain knowledge or develop a skill by studying or practicing.
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Learnt /lɜːnt/verb A2
to gain knowledge or skill through study, experience, or being taught. British English form.
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Leave /liːv/verb A1
To go away from a place; to depart or exit somewhere you have been.
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Leaves /liːvz/verb A1
He, she, or it departs or goes away from a place; present tense form used with singular subjects.
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Lend /lɛnd/verb A2
To give something to someone for a short time, expecting them to give it back.
See all 41 verbs that start with "L" →
Adjectives That Start With "L" (33)
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Late /leɪt/adj A1
Arriving or happening after the time it should; not on time.
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Light /laɪt/adj A1
Easy to carry or lift because it does not weigh much.
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Little /ˈlɪtəl/adj A1
Small in size or amount; not large or much.
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Long /lɔŋ/adj A1
Something that measures a lot from the beginning to the end; not short.
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Lost /lɔːst/adj A1
When you don't know where you are or how to get somewhere, you are lost. You cannot find your way.
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Low /loʊ/adj A1
Close to the ground or at a small height; not high or tall.
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Large /lɑːrdʒ/adj A1
Bigger than normal; having more size or space than expected.
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Last /læst/adj A1
Coming at the end; the final one in a group or order.
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Lazy /ˈleɪzi/adj A2
Not wanting to do much work or effort; preferring to rest instead of being active.
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Left /lɛft/adj A1
On the other side from right; the direction that is opposite to right.
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Legal /ˈliːɡəl/adj B1
Permitted or allowed by law; not against the law.
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Local /ˈloʊkəl/adj A2
From or relating to a nearby area, neighborhood, or community; not from far away or the whole country.
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Loud /laʊd/adj A1
Loud describes something that makes a lot of noise or sound. It is the opposite of quiet.
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Lucky /ˈlʌki/adj A2
When something good happens to you by chance, or when you are favored by fortune.
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Latter /ˈlætər/adj B1
The second person or thing in a pair you just talked about.
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Likely /ˈlaɪkli/adj B1
Having a good chance of happening or being true; expected to occur.
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Localized /ˈloʊkəlaɪzd/adj B2
Limited to one specific area. Not spreading to other places.
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Logical /ˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/adj B1
Making sense based on reason and facts; following a clear order or chain of thinking.
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Lonely /ˈloʊnli/adj A2
Feeling sad and isolated because you are alone and miss the company of other people.
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Loose /luːs/adj A2
Something that is not tight or not held in place firmly.
See all 33 adjectives that start with "L" →
Adverbs That Start With "L" (3)
How to Use Words That Start With "L"
Scrabble and Word Games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, words starting with "L" can be valuable when you need to play through an existing tile on the board. Higher-tier letters like J, Q, X, and Z multiply your score quickly when stacked on bonus squares — scan the list below for short words that contain them. Two and three-letter words starting with "L" are especially useful for parallel plays where you build along an existing word and earn points for every adjacent tile.
Crossword Puzzles
For crossword puzzles, the most useful entries are mid-length common words — 5 to 8 letters — that fit standard grid patterns. Filter the list by length to match the cells in your clue. Pay attention to the CEFR level: clues from mainstream newspapers favour B1–B2 vocabulary, while themed and cryptic puzzles draw on rarer C1 and C2 words. The IPA shown on each card also helps confirm a guess — a clue marked "two syllables" should match a word with a simple stress pattern.
Creative Writing and Poetry
Writers and poets often look for groups of words starting with "L" to build alliteration, rhythm, or near-rhymes. Sort the list by length, scan the rare and C1+ words for fresh imagery, and use the linked dictionary entries to confirm connotation before you commit. The plain-English definitions are intentionally short so you can scan dozens of options without losing flow.
Longest Word That Start With "L"
Frequently Asked Questions About Words That Start With "L"
- How many words starting with "L"?
- There are 4,379 words starting with "L" in our 199,000-word English dictionary. The list ranges from common everyday words to rarer specialised vocabulary.
- What is the longest word starting with "L"?
- The longest word starting with "L" in our list is "LABYRINTHODONTS" — 15 letters long. Tap the word to see its full definition.
- Are these words valid in Scrabble?
- Most of the words in this list are valid in Scrabble and similar word games (we cross-reference standard tournament dictionaries). A handful of proper nouns and very rare technical terms may not be — when in doubt, double-check with the official Scrabble dictionary used in your league.
- How many 5-letter words starting with "L"?
- 422 5-letter words starting with "L" — useful for Wordle, daily puzzles, and short crosswords. Filter by length above to see only 5-letter results.