Oxford 3000 Words Starting with L – Complete List with Meanings & Quizzes

label noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a piece of paper or material that gives information about something.

Short meaning (verb): to attach a label or to describe something in a particular way.

Example: All boxes must be clearly labeled.

labor noun

Short meaning: work, especially physical work, or all the workers in a country.

Example: The cost of labor has increased.

laboratory noun

Short meaning: a room or building used for scientific tests and research.

Example: The samples were tested in the laboratory.

lack noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a state of not having enough of something.

Short meaning (verb): to not have something needed or wanted.

Example: Many students lack confidence at first.

lacking adjective

Short meaning: not having enough of something; missing.

Example: His explanation was lacking detail.

lady noun

Short meaning: a polite or respectful word for a woman.

Example: The lady at the counter helped us.

lake noun

Short meaning: a large area of water surrounded by land.

Example: We walked around the lake.

lamp noun

Short meaning: a device that produces light.

Example: She turned on the bedside lamp.

land noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): the solid part of the earth’s surface.

Short meaning (verb): to arrive on the ground, especially in an aircraft.

Example: The plane will land in 10 minutes.

landscape noun

Short meaning: the appearance of an area of land, especially its natural scenery.

Example: The mountain landscape was stunning.

lane noun

Short meaning: a narrow road or a part of a road marked for a particular type of traffic.

Example: Stay in the left lane.

language noun

Short meaning: the system of words people use to communicate.

Example: English is the most widely studied language.

large adjective

Short meaning: big in size or amount.

Example: They live in a large house.

largely adverb

Short meaning: mostly; mainly.

Example: The success was largely due to teamwork.

last adjective / adverb / noun / verb

Short meanings:

• adjective: final; coming after all others.

• adverb: most recently.

• verb: to continue for a period of time.

Example: The meeting didn’t last long.

late adjective / adverb

Short meaning: arriving or happening after the usual or expected time.

Example: She was late for the appointment.

lately adverb

Short meaning: recently; in the last few days or weeks.

Example: I haven’t seen him lately.

later adverb

Short meaning: after the time you are talking about.

Example: I’ll call you later.

latest adjective / noun

Short meaning (adj): most recent or newest.

Short meaning (noun): the most recent news or information.

Example: Have you heard the latest?

latter adjective

Short meaning: the second of two things mentioned; the more recent part of something.

Example: I preferred the latter option.

laugh verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to make a sound that shows you think something is funny.

Short meaning (noun): the act or sound of laughing.

Example: They laughed at the joke.

launch verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to start something, especially a new product or activity.

Short meaning (noun): the beginning or introduction of something.

Example: The company will launch the app next month.

laundry noun

Short meaning: clothes, sheets, etc. that need to be washed or have been washed.

Example: I need to do the laundry today.

law noun

Short meaning: the system of rules that a country or community uses to govern people.

Example: Everyone must follow the law.

lawyer noun

Short meaning: a person who is trained to advise people about the law and represent them in court.

Example: She hired a lawyer to handle the case.

lay verb

Short meaning: to put something down carefully in a flat position.

Example: Please lay the keys on the table.

layer noun

Short meaning: a thin sheet or level of something over or under another.

Example: The cake has three layers.

lazy adjective

Short meaning: not liking work or physical activity; unwilling to make effort.

Example: Don’t be lazy—finish your homework.

lead verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to guide or be in front of a group.

Short meaning (noun): the position of being first.

Example: She will lead the project team.

leader noun

Short meaning: a person who directs or guides others.

Example: A good leader inspires the team.

leading adjective

Short meaning: most important or most successful in a group.

Example: They are a leading tech firm.

leaf noun

Short meaning: the flat, green part of a plant or tree.

Example: A leaf fell from the tree.

league noun

Short meaning: a group of teams, people, or organizations competing or working together.

Example: They play in the top league.

lean verb / adjective

Short meaning (verb): to move your body so that it rests against something.

Short meaning (adj): thin; without extra fat.

Example: He leaned against the wall.

learn verb

Short meaning: to gain knowledge or skill through study or experience.

Example: He is learning English quickly.

least determiner / pronoun / adverb

Short meaning: the smallest amount, level, or degree.

Example: It costs the least of all options.

leather noun

Short meaning: material made from the skin of animals.

Example: He bought a leather jacket.

leave verb

Short meaning: to go away from someone or somewhere.

Example: She will leave for Paris tomorrow.

lecture noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a talk or lesson given to a group, especially at a college or university.

Short meaning (verb): to give an academic talk or to scold someone.

Example: The professor gave a lecture on climate change.

left adjective / adverb / noun

Short meaning: the side opposite to right; also the past tense and participle of “leave.”

Example: Turn left at the next street.

leg noun

Short meaning: one of the body parts used for standing and walking.

Example: He injured his leg during the match.

legal adjective

Short meaning: allowed or required by law.

Example: You need legal permission to build here.

lemon noun

Short meaning: a sour yellow fruit used in drinks and cooking.

Example: Add a slice of lemon to the tea.

lend verb

Short meaning: to give something to someone for a period of time, expecting it back.

Example: Can you lend me your notes?

length noun

Short meaning: the measurement of how long something is.

Example: The length of the table is two meters.

less determiner / pronoun / adverb

Short meaning: a smaller amount or degree of something.

Example: Try to eat less sugar.

lessen verb

Short meaning: to reduce something or make it smaller.

Example: Exercise can lessen stress.

let verb

Short meaning: to allow someone to do something.

Example: Let me help you.

letter noun

Short meaning (writing): a written message sent to someone.

Short meaning (alphabet): a symbol representing a sound in writing.

Example: She received a letter from her friend.

level noun / adjective / verb

Short meaning (noun): a position or stage in amount, quality, or difficulty.

Short meaning (adj): flat or even.

Short meaning (verb): to make something flat or even.

Example: Water rises to the same level.

liberal adjective / noun

Short meaning (adj): open to new ideas; supporting individual rights and freedoms.

Short meaning (noun): a person with liberal political views.

Example: She has liberal views on education.

library noun

Short meaning: a place where books and other materials are kept for reading or borrowing.

Example: The library opens at 9 a.m.

license noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): an official document giving permission to do something.

Short meaning (verb): to give someone official permission for something.

Example: You need a license to drive.

lid noun

Short meaning: the cover of a container.

Example: Put the lid back on the jar.

lie verb / noun

Short meaning (verb 1): to be in a flat or resting position.

Short meaning (verb 2): to say something that is not true.

Short meaning (noun): something that is not true.

Example: He lied about his age.

life noun

Short meaning: the state of being alive; the time from birth to death.

Example: Life can change quickly.

lift verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to raise something or move it upward.

Short meaning (noun): a machine that carries people up or down in a building (elevator).

Example: He lifted the box onto the table.

light noun / adjective / verb

Short meaning (noun): brightness that allows you to see.

Short meaning (adj): not heavy; easy to lift.

Short meaning (verb): to make something start burning.

Example: The room has plenty of natural light.

lightly adverb

Short meaning: gently or with very little pressure or weight.

Example: She touched his arm lightly.

like verb / preposition / noun

Short meaning (verb): to enjoy or have a positive feeling toward something.

Short meaning (prep): similar to something else.

Example: I like this idea.

likely adjective / adverb

Short meaning: probable or expected to happen.

Example: It’s likely to rain today.

limit noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a point beyond which something cannot go.

Short meaning (verb): to control or restrict something.

Example: The speed limit is 60 mph.

limited adjective

Short meaning: small in amount or number; not enough.

Example: Tickets are limited.

line noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a long narrow mark or a row of people or things.

Short meaning (verb): to cover the inside of something.

Example: Please stand in line.

link noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a connection between two things.

Short meaning (verb): to connect or join things together.

Example: The study shows a link between sleep and performance.

lip noun

Short meaning: either of the edges of the mouth.

Example: She bit her lip.

liquid noun / adjective

Short meaning (noun): a substance that flows and is not solid or gas.

Short meaning (adj): in liquid form.

Example: Water is a liquid.

list noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a series of items written or printed together.

Short meaning (verb): to record items one after another.

Example: She made a list of things to buy.

listen verb

Short meaning: to pay attention to sounds or someone speaking.

Example: Please listen carefully.

liter noun

Short meaning: a metric unit for measuring liquids (1 liter = 1000 milliliters).

Example: The bottle holds one liter of water.

literature noun

Short meaning: written works such as novels, poems, and plays.

Example: She studies English literature.

little adjective / pronoun / adverb

Short meaning: small in size or amount.

Example: There is little time left.

live verb / adjective

Short meaning (verb): to have a home in a place.

Short meaning (adj): happening now (e.g., a live show).

Example: They live in New York.

lively adjective

Short meaning: full of energy, activity, or excitement.

Example: It was a lively discussion.

living noun / adjective

Short meaning (noun): the way someone earns money.

Short meaning (adj): alive; not dead.

Example: Plants and animals are living things.

load noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): something that is carried, often in large amounts.

Short meaning (verb): to put things onto or into something.

Example: They loaded the boxes into the truck.

loan noun

Short meaning: money that someone borrows and must pay back.

Example: She took a loan to start her business.

local adjective / noun

Short meaning (adj): relating to a particular area or neighborhood.

Short meaning (noun): someone who lives in that area.

Example: Local shops close early.

locate verb

Short meaning: to find the exact position of something or someone.

Example: They located the missing files.

location noun

Short meaning: a particular place or position.

Example: The movie was filmed at a secret location.

lock noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a device used to keep something closed or secure.

Short meaning (verb): to close something with a lock.

Example: She locked the door before leaving.

lock up phrasal verb

Short meaning: to make a building or place secure by locking all doors and windows.

Example: Don’t forget to lock up before you go.

logic noun

Short meaning: a way of thinking based on clear reasoning and good sense.

Example: The logic behind his argument was easy to follow.

logical adjective

Short meaning: reasonable; based on clear thinking or good judgment.

Example: It was the only logical conclusion.

lonely adjective

Short meaning: unhappy because you have no friends or company.

Example: She felt lonely after moving to a new city.

long adjective / adverb

Short meaning: measuring a great distance or lasting a long time.

Example: They waited a long time.

look verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to direct your eyes toward something.

Short meaning (noun): an appearance or expression.

Example: Look at this!

loose adjective

Short meaning: not tight or firmly fixed.

Example: The screw is loose.

loosely adverb

Short meaning: in a way that is not tight or firmly fixed.

Example: The package was loosely wrapped.

lord noun

Short meaning: a man with power or authority; also used as a title in some societies.

Example: The lord of the castle welcomed them.

lose verb

Short meaning: to no longer have something; to fail to win.

Example: Don’t lose your passport.

loss noun

Short meaning: the state of no longer having something or someone.

Example: The company reported a big loss this year.

lost adjective

Short meaning: unable to find your way; no longer in your possession.

Example: He got lost in the city.

lot noun / adverb

Short meaning: a large amount or number of something.

Example: She has a lot of experience.

loud adjective / adverb

Short meaning: making a lot of noise; in a noisy way.

Example: The music was too loud.

love noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a strong feeling of affection.

Short meaning (verb): to feel deep affection for someone or something.

Example: They love spending time together.

lover noun

Short meaning: a person who is in a romantic relationship with someone.

Example: They met as young lovers.

low adjective / adverb

Short meaning: not high in position, level, or amount.

Example: Sales were low this month.

lower verb / adjective

Short meaning (verb): to reduce something or move it down.

Short meaning (adjective): located below something else.

Example: Please lower your voice.

loyal adjective

Short meaning: remaining faithful and supportive to someone or something.

Example: She is a loyal friend.

luck noun

Short meaning: the force that causes good or bad things to happen by chance.

Example: He had good luck in the exam.

lucky adjective

Short meaning: having good luck; fortunate.

Example: You’re lucky to have such support.

lump noun

Short meaning: a small, hard piece or mass of something.

Example: She found a small lump on her neck.

lunch noun

Short meaning: the meal eaten in the middle of the day.

Example: We had lunch at a small café.

lung noun

Short meaning: one of the two organs used for breathing.

Example: Smoking damages the lungs.