launder
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C1 verb /ˈlɔːndər/

launder

Meaning
to wash clothes, linens, etc.; or to conceal the origins of money obtained illegally
Example
She laundered all the dirty clothes on Sunday.
C1 noun /ˈlʌɡ.ɪdʒ væn/

Luggage van

Meaning
a vehicle designed for carrying luggage and cargo
Example
The luggage van carried all the passengers' suitcases.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔː.fəl/

Lawful

Meaning
legal; legitimate; valid; just
Example
The judge confirmed that their actions were lawful and proper.
C1 noun /ˈlɪrɪk/

lyric

Meaning
the words of a song or a short poem that expresses personal feelings
Example
She memorized every lyric of her favorite song.
C1 noun ˈlaɪv.li.hʊd

livelihood

Meaning
A means of securing the necessities of life; a way of making a living.
Example
Fishing is the primary livelihood of coastal communities.
C1 verb /lʌl/

lull

Meaning
to soothe or calm; to cause to sleep or rest
Example
The gentle music lulled the baby to sleep.
C1 noun /ˈleɪ.dəl/

Ladle

Meaning
a large deep spoon with a long handle, used for serving soup or other liquids
Example
Use the ladle to serve the hot soup into bowls.
C1 noun /lɔnˈdʒɛvəti/

longevity

Meaning
Long life or long existence of something.
Example
Good habits contribute to health and longevity.
C1 noun ˌlɪt.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən

litigation

Meaning
The process of taking legal action; a lawsuit.
Example
The litigation accused the regime of human rights abuses.
C1 noun, verb /ˈliːvər/ or /ˈlɛvər/

lever

Meaning
a rigid bar used to move or lift heavy objects; to move something using leverage.
Example
He used a lever to lift the heavy stone.
C1 noun ˈledʒ.ɪ.slə.tʃər

legislature

Meaning
The legislative body of a country or state; the branch of government that makes laws.
Example
The legislature drafts laws for governance.
C1 noun /ˈledʒ.ər/

Ledger

Meaning
a book or other collection of financial accounts of a particular type
Example
The accountant updated the company ledger daily.
C1 adjective /ˈlaɪf.laɪk/

lifelike

Meaning
Very similar to a real person, object, or scene; realistic.
Example
The wax figure was so lifelike that people thought it was a real person.
C1 noun /ˈlɪmboʊ/

limbo

Meaning
A state of uncertainty or neglect; an intermediate or transitional state.
Example
The project was left in limbo after the funding was withdrawn.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪm.stoʊn/

Lime stone

Meaning
a hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate or dolomite, used as building material and in the making of cement
Example
The ancient building was made of limestone blocks.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪk.nəs/

Likeness

Meaning
the fact or quality of being alike; resemblance; a portrait or representation
Example
The portrait shows a strong likeness to her grandmother.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔːf.ti/

Lofty

Meaning
of great height; noble in character; elevated in style
Example
He has lofty ideals about making the world a better place.
C1 noun lɪˈkwɪd.ə.ti

liquidity

Meaning
The availability of liquid assets to a market or company; the ability to convert assets into cash quickly.
Example
Maintaining liquidity is crucial for financial stability.
C1 noun /ˈloʊ.kəst/

Locust

Meaning
a large insect that flies in groups and eats crops
Example
The locusts destroyed the entire wheat field.
C1 noun /ˈlʌləˌbaɪ/

lullaby

Meaning
a soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep
Example
She sang a lullaby to her baby every night.
C1 adjective ˈleɪ.tənt

latent

Meaning
Existing but not yet developed or manifested; hidden potential.
Example
His artistic talent remained latent for years.
C1 adjective ləˈθɑːrdʒɪk

lethargic

Meaning
Being inactive due to lack of physical or mental energy
Example
After a heavy meal, he felt lethargic and sleepy.
C1 noun /luː/

lieu

Meaning
Instead of; in place of.
Example
He gave money in lieu of flowers.
C1 noun /ˈlɛdʒɪsleɪtər/

legislator

Meaning
a person who makes laws, especially a member of a legislative body
Example
The legislator introduced a bill to improve healthcare.
C1 noun ˌlɪb.ər.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

liberalization

Meaning
The removal or loosening of restrictions on something, typically an economic or political system.
Example
The liberalization of trade policies attracted foreign investments.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪm.laɪt/

Limelight

Meaning
the focus of public attention; a bright light produced by heating a cylinder of lime
Example
The celebrity enjoyed being in the limelight.
C1 verb /ˈlɪkwɪdeɪt/

liquidate

Meaning
To sell assets in order to pay off debts; to close a business and convert assets into cash.
Example
The company decided to liquidate its assets to pay creditors.
C1 adverb /ˈleŋθ.waɪz/

Lengthwise

Meaning
in the direction of the length; along the longest dimension
Example
Fold the paper lengthwise to make it easier to carry.
C1 adjective liːst prɪˈpeərd

least prepared

Meaning
Having the minimum level of readiness or equipment to handle a situation.
Example
Bangladesh is among the least prepared for climate adaptation.
C1 noun /liˈeɪzɒn/

liaison

Meaning
communication or cooperation between people or groups for a smooth working relationship
Example
She works as a liaison between the company and its clients.
C1 noun /ˈliːvˌteɪ.kɪŋ/

leave-taking

Meaning
an act of saying goodbye; farewell
Example
His leave-taking from his friends was emotional.
C1 adjective /ˈlaʊzi/

lousy

Meaning
of very poor quality; bad or unpleasant
Example
He felt lousy after catching the flu.
C1 noun /ˈliːniənsi/

leniency

Meaning
The quality of being more merciful or tolerant than expected.
Example
The judge showed leniency in his ruling.
C1 verb, noun /lɜːrtʃ/

lurch

Meaning
to make an abrupt, unsteady, or uncontrolled movement; a sudden movement or stagger
Example
The bus lurched forward as the driver hit the brakes.
C1 verb /ˈlɪŋɡər/

linger

Meaning
to stay in a place longer than necessary; to persist
Example
The smell of coffee lingered in the kitchen.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈlæksətɪv/

laxative

Meaning
A medicine or substance that stimulates bowel movements; tending to loosen or relieve constipation.
Example
The doctor prescribed a mild laxative for her condition.
C1 noun /lɪˈɡæl.ə.ti/

Legality

Meaning
the quality or state of being legal; accordance with the law
Example
The lawyer questioned the legality of the contract.
C1 adjective /læks/

lax

Meaning
Not strict, severe, or careful; negligent or careless.
Example
The security at the airport was surprisingly lax.
C1 noun /ˈliːweɪ/

leeway

Meaning
Freedom to act within certain limits; extra space or time.
Example
The manager gave the team some leeway to finish the project.
C1 noun /ˌlɪbəˈreɪʃən wɔːr/

liberation war

Meaning
a war fought to gain freedom from foreign rule, occupation, or oppression; an armed struggle for national independence
Example
The liberation war reshaped the nation’s history and identity.
C1 verb /lɜːrk/

lurk

Meaning
to remain hidden so as to wait for an opportunity to attack or observe
Example
A stranger lurked in the shadows.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪbəl/

libel

Meaning
a published false statement that damages a person's reputation
Example
The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing false claims.
C1 verb /ˈlæmɪˌneɪt/

laminate

Meaning
to cover or enclose something with a protective layer, usually plastic
Example
She laminated her important documents to protect them from damage.
C1 noun ˈlɪniɪdʒ

Lineage

Meaning
Direct descent from an ancestor; ancestry or pedigree.
Example
Tracing your lineage can reveal unknown ancestors.
C1 adjective /ˌlaɪtˈhɑːrtɪd/

light-hearted

Meaning
cheerful, carefree, and not serious
Example
She gave a light-hearted speech at the party.
C1 noun /læps/

Lapse

Meaning
a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment; the termination of a right or privilege
Example
There was a brief lapse in security that allowed the intruder to enter the building.
C1 adjective /ˈljʊərɪd/

lurid

Meaning
shocking or sensational in a vivid way, often involving crime or violence
Example
The newspaper published a lurid account of the crime.
C1 noun /ˈlɪŋɡwɪst/

linguist

Meaning
A person skilled in foreign languages or in the scientific study of language.
Example
She is a linguist who speaks six languages fluently.
C1 adjective /ˈlʌʃəs/

luscious

Meaning
deliciously sweet or rich; highly appealing to the senses
Example
She served a luscious chocolate cake.
C1 adjective /ˈluː.mɪ.nəs/

Luminous

Meaning
bright; shining; emitting light; radiant
Example
The luminous stars filled the dark night sky.
C1 noun /ˈlæb.ə.rɪnθ/

labyrinth

Meaning
A complicated network of paths or passages; an intricate and confusing arrangement.
Example
The city's streets were like a labyrinth.
C1 noun /ˈlɔː.meɪ.kər/

Lawmaker

Meaning
a person who writes and passes laws, especially a member of a legislative body
Example
The lawmakers voted on the new education bill.
C1 verb ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪʃ

languish

Meaning
To remain in a state of neglect or decline for a long time without improvement.
Example
The project began to languish due to a lack of funding.
C1 verb /loʊð/

loathe

Meaning
to feel intense dislike or disgust for
Example
He absolutely loathes being late to meetings.
C1 adjective /ˈlækˌlʌstər/

lackluster

Meaning
Lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired or uninspiring.
Example
The lackluster performance disappointed the audience.
C1 adjective /ˈlætərəl/

lateral

Meaning
Relating to the side or sideways movement.
Example
The football player made a quick lateral pass.
C1 verb /ˈlɪbəreɪt/

liberate

Meaning
to set free from imprisonment, oppression, or restraint
Example
The army liberated the city from enemy control.
C1 noun /luːm/

Loom

Meaning
a machine for weaving cloth; to appear threatening or menacing
Example
The weaver worked at the loom to create beautiful fabrics.
C1 verb, adjective, noun /lɪmp/

limp

Meaning
to walk with difficulty, often due to injury or weakness; lacking strength or firmness.
Example
He limped after injuring his ankle.
C1 noun /ˌluː.mɪˈnɒs.ɪ.ti/

luminosity

Meaning
The intrinsic brightness of a celestial object; the quality of emitting light.
Example
The luminosity of the star was measured with advanced instruments.
C1 verb /ˈlɪtɪˌɡeɪt/

litigate

Meaning
to engage in legal proceedings or take a dispute to court
Example
The company decided to litigate the contract dispute.
C1 adjective /ˈlɛdʒəbl/

legible

Meaning
clear enough to read
Example
Her handwriting was barely legible.
C1 noun /ˈlʊkaʊt/

lookout

Meaning
A place for watching; a person keeping watch.
Example
The guard kept a lookout for suspicious activity.
C1 noun /ləˈɡuːn/

lagoon

Meaning
A shallow body of water separated from the sea by sandbars or reefs.
Example
We swam in the calm waters of the lagoon.
C1 noun /ˈliːdʒən/

legion

Meaning
a large group of people, especially soldiers; a great number
Example
The Roman army was divided into legions.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔː.də.bəl/

laudable

Meaning
Deserving praise and admiration.
Example
Her efforts to help the poor are truly laudable.
C1 adjective /ˈluː.krə.tɪv/

lucrative

Meaning
Producing a great deal of profit; highly profitable or financially rewarding.
Example
The real estate business is highly lucrative in urban areas.
C1 verb /ˈliːɡəlaɪz/

legalize

Meaning
To make something lawful by official approval.
Example
The government decided to legalize online businesses.
C1 noun /lʌst/

Lust

Meaning
very strong sexual desire; a passionate desire for something
Example
His lust for power corrupted him completely.
C1 noun /lɒft/

loft

Meaning
An upper room or space, often under the roof of a building.
Example
She converted the old loft into a modern studio.
C1 noun /ˈleɪ.mən/

Layman

Meaning
a person without professional or specialized knowledge in a particular subject
Example
The doctor explained the procedure in layman's terms.
C1 adjective /ˈlɑːpˌsaɪdɪd/

lopsided

Meaning
with one side lower, larger, or different from the other; uneven or imbalanced
Example
The cake looked lopsided after being decorated in a hurry.
C1 noun ˌlɪb.ərˈeɪ.ʃən

liberation

Meaning
The action of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release.
Example
Liberation movements inspired many countries.
C1 verb, noun /læɡ/

lag

Meaning
To fall behind in movement, progress, or development; a delay or period of falling behind.
Example
The old computer tends to lag when running new software.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈlɛzbiən/

lesbian

Meaning
a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women
Example
She is a proud lesbian and advocates for equal rights.
C1 noun /ˈlæt.ɪ.tuːd/

Latitude

Meaning
the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator; freedom to act or think
Example
The GPS device showed our exact latitude and longitude coordinates on the map.
C1 noun /ˈlɛktən/

lectern

Meaning
A tall stand with a sloping top used to support a book, notes, or script during a speech or lecture.
Example
The professor placed her notes on the lectern before starting her lecture.
C1 noun /ˌlaɪ.sənˈsiː/

Licensee

Meaning
a person or organization that holds a license to do something
Example
The licensee is responsible for following all regulations.
C1 verb /ˈlʌmbər/

lumber

Meaning
to move in a slow, heavy, awkward way
Example
The bear lumbered through the forest in search of food.
C1 noun /ˈlɛɡɪŋ/

legging

Meaning
tight-fitting stretch pants, typically worn by women for exercise or casual wear
Example
She bought a new pair of black leggings for the gym.
C1 noun ˌlaɪ.əˈbɪl.ə.ti

liability

Meaning
The state of being responsible for something, especially by law; a debt or financial obligation.
Example
The company's liabilities exceeded its assets.
C1 noun /lʌmp/

Lump

Meaning
a compact mass of a substance, especially one without a definite or regular shape
Example
She found a lump of sugar in the bowl.
C1 adjective /ˈloʊli/

lowly

Meaning
humble in status, position, or manner
Example
She rose from a lowly position to become the company's CEO.
C1 noun /ˈlɪməˌziːn/

limousine

Meaning
a large, luxurious car driven by a chauffeur.
Example
The bride arrived in a white limousine.
C1 noun /lɪˈkjʊər/

liqueur

Meaning
A strong, sweet alcoholic drink flavored with fruits, herbs, or spices.
Example
She served a small glass of cherry liqueur after dinner.
C1 noun /læʃ/

Lash

Meaning
an eyelash; a sharp blow with a whip or rope; to strike forcefully
Example
She carefully applied mascara to make her lashes look longer and darker.
C1 adjective /ˈliː.θəl/

Lethal

Meaning
deadly; fatal; capable of causing death
Example
The snake's venom is lethal to humans if not treated immediately.
C1 verb /ˈlɛvi/

levy

Meaning
To impose or collect, especially a tax or fine.
Example
The government decided to levy a new tax on luxury goods.
C1 noun /ˈlɔːriət/

laureate

Meaning
A person honored with an award for outstanding achievement in a field, especially the arts or sciences.
Example
The Nobel laureate gave an inspiring lecture on peace.
C1 noun /ˌlɛ.seɪ ˈfɛər/

laissez-faire

Meaning
An economic policy where government does not intervene in business affairs.
Example
Laissez-faire policies encourage private enterprise.
C1 noun /ˈliːʒən/

lesion

Meaning
An area of damage or abnormal change in the tissue of an organism, often caused by injury or disease.
Example
The doctor examined the skin lesion carefully.
C1 adjective /ˈliː.ni.ənt/

Lenient

Meaning
tolerant; forgiving; merciful; not strict in punishment or judgment
Example
The teacher was lenient with students who submitted their homework late.
C1 adjective /ˌloʊ ˈspɪrɪtɪd/

low-spirited

Meaning
feeling sad, depressed, or lacking enthusiasm
Example
He felt low-spirited after hearing the bad news.
C1 adjective /ˈluːdɪkrəs/

ludicrous

Meaning
so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing
Example
It is ludicrous to think the Earth is flat.
C1 noun /ˈlɔːsuːt/

lawsuit

Meaning
a legal case brought to a court of law by one person against another
Example
The company faced a lawsuit over false advertising.
C1 noun /ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊ.tɪv/

locomotive

Meaning
A powered rail vehicle used for pulling trains.
Example
The old steam locomotive was restored for the museum.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪtʃi/

Litchi

Meaning
a small oval pink-red tropical fruit with white translucent flesh and sweet taste
Example
The litchi has a rough pink shell that you peel to eat the sweet white fruit inside.
C1 noun /ˈleɪˌpɜːrsən/

layperson

Meaning
A person who is not a member of the clergy or does not have specialized knowledge in a subject.
Example
The judge explained the law so that the layperson could understand.
C1 noun /liːtʃ/

Leech

Meaning
an aquatic or terrestrial annelid worm with suckers at both ends; metaphorically, a person who extorts profit from others
Example
The leech attached itself to his leg while swimming.
C1 noun /ˈlʌstər/

luster

Meaning
a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially from a polished surface
Example
The diamond had a brilliant luster.
C1 adjective /loʊθ/

loath

Meaning
reluctant or unwilling to do something
Example
She was loath to admit her mistake in front of everyone.
C1 noun /ˈloʊ.fər/

Loafer

Meaning
a person who avoids work or effort; an idler
Example
Don't be a loafer, help us with the work.
C1 noun /ˈlɔː.ləs.nəs/

Lawlessness

Meaning
absence of law and order; a state where laws do not exist or are not enforced
Example
The city descended into lawlessness after the government collapsed.
C1 verb /luːt/

loot

Meaning
to steal goods, typically during war, riot, or chaos
Example
The rioters looted several shops during the protest.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔː.ləs/

Lawless

Meaning
without law; anarchic; unruly; criminal
Example
The frontier town was known for its lawless behavior and chaos.
C1 noun /liːs/

Lease

Meaning
a contract by which one party conveys land, property, services, etc. to another for a specified time, usually in return for a periodic payment
Example
They signed a two-year lease for the apartment.
C1 noun /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊʃən/

locomotion

Meaning
movement or the ability to move from one place to another
Example
Walking is the most common form of human locomotion.
C1 noun /ˈleɪ.tən.si/

latency

Meaning
The delay in processing signals or data.
Example
High latency in online gaming can cause lagging issues.
C1 adjective /ˈlæv.ɪʃ/

Lavish

Meaning
expensive; elaborate; extravagant; generous
Example
The wedding was a lavish celebration with hundreds of guests.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈluː.nə.tɪk/

lunatic

Meaning
A person who is insane or acting in a foolish or reckless way; also used as an adjective meaning insane.
Example
The driver was driving like a lunatic on the highway.
C1 noun /ˈlɪbərəlɪzəm/

liberalism

Meaning
a political and social philosophy advocating individual freedoms, democracy, and equality
Example
Liberalism emphasizes freedom of speech and human rights.
C1 verb /ˈlaɪ.kən/

liken

Meaning
to compare one thing to another, often in a figurative way
Example
He likened her voice to sweet music.
C1 adjective /ˈlæk.tɪk/

lactic

Meaning
Relating to milk or lactic acid.
Example
Intense exercise can lead to a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles.
C1 verb /lʊər/

lure

Meaning
to attract or tempt someone, often by offering something appealing
Example
The advertisement lured customers with promises of discounts.
C1 adjective /ləˈbɔːr.i.əs/

laborious

Meaning
requiring considerable effort and time; difficult and hard-working
Example
Writing the long report was a laborious task.
C1 verb /ləˈmɛnt/

lament

Meaning
to express grief, sorrow, or regret about something
Example
She lamented the loss of her childhood home.
C1 noun /ˈlænd.slaɪd/

Landslide

Meaning
a collapse of a mass of earth or rock from a mountain or cliff; an overwhelming victory in an election
Example
Heavy rains triggered a massive landslide that blocked the mountain highway.
C1 adjective ˈluː.sɪd

lucid

Meaning
Clear and easily understandable thoughts or explanations.
Example
His explanation was so lucid that everyone understood it.
C1 phrase lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mət sɛlf dɪˈfens

legitimate self-defense

Meaning
Lawful protection of oneself from harm or attack.
Example
The country claimed it was legitimate self-defense.
C1 noun /lɪˈbiːdoʊ/

libido

Meaning
Sexual desire or drive.
Example
Stress can sometimes lower a person's libido.
C1 noun /ˈlɛk.sɪ.kɒn/

lexicon

Meaning
The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge; a collection of words and terms.
Example
A translator must have a vast lexicon of both languages.