limbo
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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The project was left in limbo after the funding was withdrawn.
B2 adjective /liːn/

Lean

Meaning
thin; having little fat; weak
Example
He has a lean and muscular body.
B2 adjective /ˈlækɪŋ/

lacking

Meaning
not having enough of something; missing
Example
His report was lacking in detail.
B2 noun /liːk/

Leek

Meaning
vegetable related to onion with long green leaves and white bulb, milder than onion
Example
The soup was made with potatoes and leeks.
B2 noun /ˈledʒ.ənd/

Legend

Meaning
a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated; an extremely famous or notorious person
Example
The legend of King Arthur has inspired many books.
A1 verb /lɜːrn/

learn

Meaning
to acquire knowledge or skills; to gain understanding
Example
Children learn quickly when they are interested.
C2 adjective /ˈliːənaɪn/

leonine

Meaning
Of or resembling a lion.
Example
His leonine hair made him stand out in the crowd.
B2 noun /ˈlʊkɪŋ ɡlæs/

Looking glass

Meaning
a mirror; a piece of glass that reflects images
Example
She looked at herself in the looking glass.
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 /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.
C2 noun /ˈlɪmərɪk/

limerick

Meaning
a humorous five-line poem with a specific rhythm and rhyme scheme (AABBA).
Example
She recited a funny limerick at the party.
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.
C2 noun /ˈlæki/

lackey

Meaning
a person who is overly willing to serve or obey someone else
Example
He treated his assistant like a mere lackey.
C1 adjective /lʌʃ/

lush

Meaning
rich, abundant, and luxurious, especially referring to vegetation
Example
The valley was filled with lush green fields.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪnˌʌp/

lineup

Meaning
a group of people or things arranged in a sequence
Example
The event featured a star-studded lineup of musicians.
B2 adjective /lʌɡˈʒʊəriəs/

luxurious

Meaning
extremely comfortable, elegant, or enjoyable, often involving great expense
Example
They stayed in a luxurious hotel during their vacation.
B2 adjective /ˈlæstɪŋ/

Lasting

Meaning
enduring for a long time; permanent; durable
Example
Their friendship had a lasting impact on both their lives.
B1 noun /ˈlɔː.jər/

Lawyer

Meaning
a person who practices or studies law; an attorney or a counselor
Example
She hired a lawyer to handle her case.
B2 noun /læp/

Lap

Meaning
the flat area between the waist and knees of a seated person; one circuit of a track or course
Example
The cat curled up comfortably in her lap while she read her book.
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.
B2 noun/adjective /ˈlætɪn/

latin

Meaning
the language of ancient Rome; relating to Latin culture or language
Example
Many English words are derived from Latin.
B2 noun ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃən

limitation

Meaning
A limiting rule or circumstance; a restriction on the size or amount of something permissible.
Example
Limitation in data affects policy-making decisions.
B1 verb /leɪ/

lay

Meaning
to put something down in a flat position; to place carefully
Example
Please lay the book on the table.
C1 noun /ˈleθ.ər.dʒi/

Lethargy

Meaning
a lack of energy and enthusiasm; tiredness and inactivity
Example
The hot weather caused a feeling of lethargy.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪ.səns/

Licence

Meaning
a permit from an authority to own or use something, do a particular thing, or carry on a trade
Example
You need a driving licence to operate a car.
C1 verb /ˈluːbrɪkeɪt/

lubricate

Meaning
to apply oil or grease to reduce friction between surfaces
Example
The mechanic lubricated the car engine parts.
B1 adverb /ˈleɪt.li/

Lately

Meaning
recently; in the recent past; not long ago
Example
I haven't seen him lately, but I heard he got a new job.
B2 noun /lʌŋ/

Lung

Meaning
either of the two organs in the chest that you use for breathing
Example
Smoking can cause serious damage to your lungs.
B1 noun /lɔk/

Lock

Meaning
a mechanism for keeping a door, lid, etc., fastened, typically operated only by a key of a particular form
Example
Make sure you lock the door before leaving.
A2 noun /leɪk/

Lake

Meaning
a large body of water completely surrounded by land
Example
The peaceful lake reflected the mountains in its calm waters.
C2 adjective /ˈlæŋɡwɪd/

Languid

Meaning
lacking energy or vitality; slow and relaxed; weak or faint
Example
After the long journey, she felt languid and needed to rest.
B1 adjective /ˌlɛftˈhændɪd/

left-handed

Meaning
Using or done with the left hand; also can mean clumsy or awkward.
Example
She is left-handed and writes beautifully with her left hand.
B2 adjective /ˈlɒŋ ˈstændɪŋ/

long-standing

Meaning
having existed or continued for a long period of time
Example
They have a long-standing relationship with their suppliers.
B2 noun; verb /ˈlaɪnʌp/

line-up

Meaning
a group or arrangement of people or things in a line; to arrange people or things in a row or planned order
Example
The coach announced the team line-up before the match.
C2 noun /liːən/

lien

Meaning
A legal right to keep possession of property until a debt is paid.
Example
The bank placed a lien on the house until the mortgage was cleared.
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.
B2 adjective /leɪm/

Lame

Meaning
unable to walk normally because of an injury or illness affecting the leg or foot; weak and unconvincing
Example
The injured horse was lame and couldn't walk properly.
C1 noun/verb /liːʃ/

leash

Meaning
a strap or cord used to control or guide an animal; to restrain or control
Example
The dog was on a leash during the walk.
C1 noun /ˌluː.brɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

lubrication

Meaning
The action of applying a substance to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact.
Example
Lubrication of the eyes is essential for well-being.
C2 noun /lɪnt/

lint

Meaning
small soft fibers that come off cloth, often found in dryers or on clothes
Example
There was lint all over his black shirt after the wash.
C2 noun /ləˈdʒɪʃən/

logician

Meaning
A person skilled in logic and reasoning.
Example
Aristotle is considered one of the greatest logicians in history.
C2 noun /laʊt/

lout

Meaning
An uncouth or aggressive man or boy.
Example
The drunken lout caused a scene at the party.
A2 noun /lɔː/

Law

Meaning
a rule or system of rules recognized by a country or community as regulating the actions of its members
Example
Everyone must obey the law.
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.
C2 noun /ˈlɔːrdlɪŋ/

lordling

Meaning
A young or petty lord; someone of minor nobility.
Example
The arrogant lordling demanded respect despite his lack of experience.
C2 noun /ˈlæriət/

lariat

Meaning
A long rope with a noose at one end used to catch animals such as cattle or horses.
Example
The cowboy threw his lariat to catch the stray horse.
A2 adverb /ˈlaʊdli/

loudly

Meaning
in a way that produces a lot of sound; with a high volume
Example
He spoke loudly so everyone in the room could hear him.
A1 noun, verb /laɪn/

line

Meaning
A long narrow mark or band; a row of people or things; to cover the inside surface of something.
Example
People waited in a long line outside the theater.
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, 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 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.
B1 noun /laɪt ˈkʌlər/

Light Colour

Meaning
a pale or bright shade of any color
Example
The walls were painted in light colours to make the room look bigger.
B1 noun /ˈlɪsənər/

listener

Meaning
a person who listens or pays attention to something, especially to a speaker or sound.
Example
She is a good listener who always understands others' problems.
C2 adjective /luːd/

lewd

Meaning
Sexually offensive, obscene, or vulgar.
Example
He was arrested for making lewd remarks in public.
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 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.
A2 noun /laɪˈbrɛəriən/

librarian

Meaning
a person who manages, organizes, and assists users in a library
Example
The librarian helped me find a rare history book.
B2 noun ˈlɛvərɪdʒ

leverage

Meaning
The use of borrowed capital or resources to increase the potential return of an investment; using something to maximum advantage.
Example
Leverage amplifies your efforts and scales your work.
C2 noun /læŋ'ɡʊər/

Langoor

Meaning
a long-tailed monkey found in Asia, especially India and Southeast Asia
Example
The langoor was sitting on the tree branch eating fruits.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪsəm/

lissome

Meaning
Thin, supple, and graceful in movement.
Example
The dancer moved with a lissome elegance.
C2 verb /lʌɡˈʒʊrieɪt/

luxuriate

Meaning
to enjoy something in a self-indulgent way; to take pleasure in great comfort
Example
She luxuriated in the warm bubble bath after a long day.
C1 adjective /ˈliːf.ləs/

Leafless

Meaning
without leaves; bare
Example
The leafless trees looked bare in winter.
A2 noun /læmp/

Lamp

Meaning
a device for giving light, either one using electricity or burning gas or oil
Example
She turned on the reading lamp to illuminate her book.
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.
A2 noun /loʊˈkeɪʃən/

location

Meaning
a particular place or position
Example
This cafe is in a beautiful location near the lake.
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.
B1 noun /lɪd/

Lid

Meaning
a removable or hinged cover for the top of a container
Example
Please put the lid back on the jar.
A1 noun /ˈlet.ər/

Letter

Meaning
a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; a written message, typically sent in an envelope
Example
She wrote a letter to her grandmother.
B2 noun ˈlɪv.ɪŋ ˈstæn.dədz

living standards

Meaning
The degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community; quality of life.
Example
High living standards improve satisfaction.
B2 noun /ˈleɪzər/

laser

Meaning
a device that emits a concentrated beam of light
Example
The doctor used a laser to perform eye surgery.
C1 verb /loʊð/

loathe

Meaning
to feel intense dislike or disgust for
Example
He absolutely loathes being late to meetings.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪmpɪd/

limpid

Meaning
Clear and transparent, easily understood.
Example
The limpid water of the lake reflected the sky perfectly.
B2 adjective /ˈlʌvəbl̩/

loveable

Meaning
easy to love; endearing or charming
Example
The puppy was so loveable that everyone wanted to hold it.
B2 noun /lɔːɡ/

Log

Meaning
a piece of a dead or felled tree trunk or branch, especially one stripped of bark
Example
They sat on a log by the campfire.
C1 noun /ˈlʌstər/

luster

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

Lawful

Meaning
legal; legitimate; valid; just
Example
The judge confirmed that their actions were lawful and proper.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈleɪ.zi/

Lazy

Meaning
idle; unwilling to work; sluggish
Example
He was too lazy to clean his room on the weekend.
C2 verb /læmˈbæst/

lambast

Meaning
To criticize harshly or to beat severely.
Example
The coach lambasted the team for their poor performance.
C2 noun /ˈlaɪtoʊtiːz/

litotes

Meaning
a figure of speech in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary
Example
Saying 'not bad' as a compliment is an example of litotes.
C1 noun /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/

linguistics

Meaning
The scientific study of language and its structure.
Example
She decided to major in linguistics at university.
B1 noun /lenz/

lens

Meaning
a curved piece of glass or plastic that makes things look clearer or larger when you look through it
Example
He cleaned the camera lens before taking the picture.
C1 adjective ˈleɪ.tənt

latent

Meaning
Existing but not yet developed or manifested; hidden potential.
Example
His artistic talent remained latent for years.
C1 noun /ˈliːvˌteɪ.kɪŋ/

leave-taking

Meaning
an act of saying goodbye; farewell
Example
His leave-taking from his friends was emotional.
B2 noun /ˈlɪtə(r)/

liter

Meaning
a metric unit of volume equal to one cubic decimeter
Example
The recipe calls for two liters of water.
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.
A2 verb /ˈloʊər/

lower

Meaning
to move something to a lower position or to reduce
Example
The company decided to lower the prices.
C2 noun /leɪð/

lathe

Meaning
A machine for shaping wood, metal, or other material by rotating it against a cutting tool.
Example
The carpenter used a lathe to shape the wooden bowl.
A2 noun /lɒs/

loss

Meaning
The state of no longer having something or someone; the harm resulting from losing.
Example
The company suffered a huge financial loss last year.
C2 noun /ˈlev.ɪ.ti/

Levity

Meaning
humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect
Example
The levity in the courtroom was inappropriate.
B1 noun /læd/

lad

Meaning
a boy or young man; a male youth
Example
The young lad helped his father in the shop.
C2 noun /ˈlændˌhoʊl.dər/

landholder

Meaning
a person who owns land, especially in large amounts
Example
The landholder leased part of his property to local farmers.
C2 noun /ˌlɛdʒərdəˈmeɪn/

legerdemain

Meaning
skillful use of one's hands when performing tricks; deception or trickery
Example
The magician's legerdemain left the audience amazed.
C2 noun /ˈliːdʒənəri/

legionary

Meaning
a soldier in the Roman army
Example
Each legionary carried a shield and a short sword.
C1 noun /læns/

Lance

Meaning
a long weapon with a sharp metal point, used by soldiers on horseback
Example
The knight charged forward with his lance ready.
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.
C2 noun /ˈlʊŋ.gi/

Lungi

Meaning
a traditional garment worn around the waist in South Asia
Example
He wore a comfortable lungi while relaxing at home.
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 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.
C2 adjective /lʌɡˈʒʊəriənt/

luxuriant

Meaning
abundant in growth or richly abundant
Example
The luxuriant forest was teeming with life.
A2 noun /ˈlaɪ.ən/

Lion

Meaning
a large tawny-colored cat that lives in prides, found in Africa and northwestern India
Example
The lion roared loudly in the savanna.
A2 adjective /ˈlʌki/

lucky

Meaning
having good fortune or favorable circumstances
Example
She felt lucky to have such supportive friends.
C2 verb /ˈlaɪ.ə.naɪz/

lionize

Meaning
to treat someone as a celebrity or give a lot of public attention
Example
The press began to lionize the young scientist after his discovery.
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.
C2 noun /ˈluː.mən/

lumen

Meaning
A unit of luminous flux, measuring the amount of visible light emitted by a source.
Example
The bulb produces 800 lumens of light.
C1 adjective /ˈlɛdʒəbl/

legible

Meaning
clear enough to read
Example
Her handwriting was barely legible.
C2 verb /læmˈbeɪst/

lambaste

Meaning
to criticize someone or something harshly; to reprimand severely
Example
The teacher lambasted the students for not completing their homework.
C2 noun /luːˈbrɪsɪti/

lubricity

Meaning
the quality of being slippery or smooth; sometimes also refers to lewdness
Example
The lubricity of the surface made it difficult to walk on.
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.
C2 noun /ˈlæŋɡər/

languor

Meaning
A state of tiredness, inertia, or dreamy relaxation.
Example
The hot afternoon filled her with languor.
B1 noun /ˈlek.tʃər/

Lecture

Meaning
an educational talk to an audience, especially to students in a university or college
Example
The professor gave an interesting lecture on history.
A1 verb /læst/

last

Meaning
to continue to exist or happen for a period of time; to endure
Example
The meeting lasted for three hours.
B1 adjective /ˈlʌv.ɪŋ/

Loving

Meaning
affectionate; caring; showing love and warmth
Example
She is a loving mother who cares deeply for her children.
C2 /laɪð/

lithe

Meaning
thin, supple, and graceful in movement
Example
The lithe dancer captivated the audience with her graceful spins.
A1 verb /let/

let

Meaning
to allow someone to do something; to give permission
Example
Please let me help you with that task.
B1 noun /ˈlɪm.ɪt/

Limit

Meaning
a point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass; the greatest amount allowed
Example
There is a speed limit on this road.
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.
B2 adjective, adverb /ˈlɒŋ taɪm/

long-time

Meaning
lasting or existing for a long period of time; having continued for many years
Example
She is a long-time friend of my family.
C1 verb /ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪt/

legislate

Meaning
to make or enact laws
Example
The government plans to legislate new safety standards.