literacy rates
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B2 noun ˈlɪt.ər.ə.si ˌreɪts

literacy rates

Meaning
The percentage of people in a population who can read and write; measures of educational levels in a population.
Example
Literacy rates impact socioeconomic conditions.
B2 verb /lɪk/

lick

Meaning
to pass the tongue over something; to defeat decisively
Example
The cat licked its paws clean.
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.
B2 noun /ˈlɒtəri/

lottery

Meaning
A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets and giving prizes to the holders of numbers drawn at random.
Example
He won a car in the national lottery.
B2 noun /ˈlɔɪəlti/

loyalty

Meaning
a strong feeling of support or allegiance
Example
His loyalty to the company earned him great respect.
B2 noun /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

Liberty

Meaning
the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views
Example
The Statue of Liberty represents freedom and democracy.
B2 noun /ˈlɒbstər/

Lobster

Meaning
a large marine crustacean with claws and a hard shell
Example
The lobster was served with melted butter and lemon.
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.
B2 noun /ˈliːtər/

litre

Meaning
a metric unit of volume equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters; commonly used to measure liquids
Example
She bought a litre of milk from the shop.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪ.ə.nəs/

Lioness

Meaning
an adult female lion
Example
The fierce lioness protected her cubs from danger.
B2 noun /ˈlæv.ən.dər/

Lavender

Meaning
a fragrant purple flowering plant used in perfumes and aromatherapy
Example
The lavender field filled the air with its sweet, calming fragrance.
B2 noun /ˈleɪbərər/

laborer

Meaning
a person who does physical work, especially work that requires strength rather than skill
Example
The laborer worked long hours at the construction site.
B2 noun /ˈlep.ərd/

Leopard

Meaning
a large wild cat with yellow fur and black spots
Example
The leopard climbed the tree to rest in the shade.
B2 adjective /ˈlækɪŋ/

lacking

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

legally

Meaning
in a way that is allowed by law
Example
He is legally responsible for his actions.
B2 noun/verb /ˈlɪtər/

litter

Meaning
rubbish or waste left lying in a public place; to make a place untidy by leaving rubbish
Example
The park was full of litter after the festival.
B2 noun ˈlɛɡ.ə.si

legacy

Meaning
An amount of money or property left to someone in a will; something left or handed down by a predecessor.
Example
His contributions left a lasting legacy in the industry.
B2 noun /liːk/

Leak

Meaning
a hole in a container or covering through which contents escape or enter accidentally
Example
There is a leak in the water pipe.
B2 verb /ˈlaɪɪŋ/

lying

Meaning
the act of not telling the truth
Example
He was caught lying about his grades.
B2 noun /ˈleɪ.bər.ər/

Labourer

Meaning
a person who does unskilled physical work for wages
Example
The labourer worked hard all day at the construction site.
B2 adjective /ˈlɛdʒɪslətɪv/

legislative

Meaning
relating to the making of laws
Example
The legislative body passed the new tax bill.
B2 verb /ˈlaɪtən/

lighten

Meaning
to make something brighter or less dark; to make something less heavy or serious
Example
A joke can lighten the mood during a tense meeting.
B2 adjective /ˈluː.nər/

Lunar

Meaning
relating to the moon; of or concerning the moon
Example
The lunar eclipse was visible last night.
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.
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.
B2 noun /ˈlænd.lɔːrd/

Landlord

Meaning
a man who rents out land, a building, or accommodation; a male property owner
Example
The landlord agreed to fix the broken heating system before winter arrived.
B2 noun /ˈleɪ.zi.nəs/

Laziness

Meaning
the quality of being unwilling to work or use energy; idleness
Example
His laziness prevented him from achieving his goals.
B2 noun ˈlaɪv.stɒk ˈfɑː.mɪŋ

livestock farming

Meaning
The breeding, raising, and care of farm animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs for food, fiber, and other products.
Example
Livestock farming plays a crucial role in food security.
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.
B2 noun ˈlɒŋ tɜːm ˈmɛm.ər.i

Long-term memory

Meaning
Such memory that remains stored in the brain for a long time
Example
Repeated practice helps transfer information into long-term memory.
B2 adjective /ˈlɔːŋtaɪm/

longtime

Meaning
having existed or continued for a long time
Example
They are longtime friends who met in college.
B2 adjective /ˈlætər/

latter

Meaning
the second of two people or things mentioned
Example
Between tea and coffee, I prefer the latter.
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.
B2 verb /liːp/

leap

Meaning
to jump high or far; to move quickly with large steps
Example
The cat leaped onto the table.
B2 noun /lɔːntʃ/

Launch

Meaning
a large motorboat or a boat used to transport people and goods
Example
We took a launch to cross the river.
B2 noun ˈlaɪf ɪkˌspek.tən.si

life expectancy

Meaning
The average period that a person may expect to live; the length of time for which something is expected to last or to continue being effective.
Example
Life expectancy depends on healthcare quality.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪ.kli.hʊd/

likelihood

Meaning
the chance or probability of something happening
Example
There is a strong likelihood of rain tomorrow.
B2 noun /lɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi/

legitimacy

Meaning
the quality of being accepted as right, proper, or lawful
Example
The legitimacy of the election was questioned by observers.
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 noun ˈlænd.mɑːk

landmark

Meaning
An object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized from a distance; an important stage or turning point.
Example
The space restaurant is a landmark in innovation.
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.
B2 adverb /ˈlaɪk.waɪz/

Likewise

Meaning
in the same way; also; similarly
Example
She studied hard for the exam, and her brother did likewise.
B2 adjective /ˈlaɪf.lɒŋ/

lifelong

Meaning
Lasting or existing for the whole of a person's life.
Example
They remained lifelong friends.
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.
B2 noun /ˈlɪn.ən/

linen

Meaning
A strong cloth made from the fibers of the flax plant, or items made from this cloth such as sheets or clothing.
Example
She bought new linen curtains for the living room.
B2 adverb /ˈlaɪtli/

lightly

Meaning
gently or with little force or weight
Example
She touched the baby’s hand lightly.
B2 adjective /ˈlɔɪ.əl/

Loyal

Meaning
faithful; devoted; trustworthy
Example
He remained loyal to his friends through difficult times.
B2 adjective /ˈles.ər/

Lesser

Meaning
smaller in amount; of lower importance; inferior
Example
He chose the lesser of two evils when making his decision.
B2 noun /ˈlɪvər/

liver

Meaning
a large organ in the body that cleans the blood and produces bile to help digest food.
Example
The liver plays a vital role in removing toxins from the body.
B2 adjective ˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl

logical

Meaning
Of or according to the rules of logic or formal argument.
Example
Logical circuits ensure effective computation.
B2 adjective /ˈlɪniər/

linear

Meaning
Arranged in or extending along a straight line.
Example
The artist used linear perspective in his drawings.
B2 noun /ˈlɪstɪŋ/

listing

Meaning
a series of items or names written or printed in a specific order
Example
The listing of available jobs was updated daily.
B2 noun /ˈlen.tɪl/

Lentil

Meaning
a high-protein pulse which is dried and then soaked and cooked prior to eating
Example
She cooked red lentils for dinner tonight.
B2 noun ləˈdʒɪs.tɪks

Logistics

Meaning
The detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
Example
Logistics ensures timely delivery.
B2 adjective /ˈlɪtərəl/

literal

Meaning
taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration
Example
His comment was meant as a joke, not to be taken in a literal sense.
B2 noun ˈlæbrətɔːriz

laboratories

Meaning
A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching, or for the manufacture of drugs or chemicals.
Example
Advanced laboratories enabled groundbreaking discoveries.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪv.stɒk/

livestock

Meaning
farm animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs that are kept for use or profit
Example
The farmer raised livestock to supply meat and milk for the market.
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.
B2 noun /ˈlɪt.ər.ə.si/

Literacy

Meaning
the ability to read and write; competence or knowledge in a specified area
Example
Adult literacy programs help people learn to read.
B2 noun /ˈliːf.lət/

Leaflet

Meaning
a printed sheet of paper containing information or advertising and usually distributed free
Example
She handed out leaflets about the environmental campaign.
B2 noun /ˈlɒdʒɪk/

logic

Meaning
Reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.
Example
Her argument was based on sound logic.
B2 adverb /ˈleɪ.zɪ.li/

Lazily

Meaning
in a way that shows unwillingness to work or use energy; sluggishly
Example
He lazily stretched his arms and yawned in the morning.
B2 noun /ˈleð.ər/

Leather

Meaning
animal skin that has been treated to preserve it and make it suitable for use
Example
He bought a leather jacket from the store.
B2 noun /ˈlænd.ɪŋ/

Landing

Meaning
the action of coming to rest on the ground or another surface; a level area at the top of a staircase
Example
The pilot made a smooth landing despite the stormy weather conditions.
B2 noun /ˈlɪz.ɚd/

Lizard

Meaning
a cold-blooded reptile with a long body, four legs, and a tail
Example
A small lizard ran across the garden wall.
B2 adjective /ˈlʌv.ə.bəl/

Lovable

Meaning
deserving of love; endearing; adorable
Example
The puppy was so lovable that everyone wanted to adopt it.
B2 noun /ˈlɛtɪs/

lettuce

Meaning
a leafy green vegetable commonly used in salads and sandwiches
Example
She added fresh lettuce to the sandwich.
B2 noun /leɪs/

Lace

Meaning
a delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern; a cord or string for fastening
Example
She wore a beautiful dress decorated with intricate lace patterns.
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 /ˈlɪkər/

liquor

Meaning
Alcoholic drinks, especially strong distilled ones such as whiskey or vodka.
Example
The shop sells both beer and hard liquor.
B2 adjective /liːn/

Lean

Meaning
thin; having little fat; weak
Example
He has a lean and muscular body.
B2 noun /ˈlænd.leɪ.di/

Landlady

Meaning
a woman who rents out land, a building, or accommodation; a female property owner
Example
The friendly landlady provided fresh towels and showed us around the apartment.
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.
B2 noun /ˈleɪzər/

laser

Meaning
a device that emits a concentrated beam of light
Example
The doctor used a laser to perform eye surgery.
B2 verb lɔːntʃt

launched

Meaning
Set (something) in motion by pushing it or letting it go.
Example
The satellite was launched successfully.
B2 adjective /ˈlʌvəbl̩/

loveable

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

literary

Meaning
concerning the writing, study, or content of literature
Example
She is a well-known figure in the literary world.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪ.nər/

liner

Meaning
A large ship used for transporting people or goods regularly, or a material used as a lining inside something.
Example
The luxury liner docked at the port yesterday.
B2 adjective /ˈlɛŋθi/

lengthy

Meaning
long in duration or extent
Example
The meeting was lengthy, lasting over three hours.
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 adjective; verb (past and past participle) /lɜːrnd/

learned

Meaning
having acquired much knowledge through study; gained knowledge or skill through experience or teaching
Example
She is a learned scholar with deep knowledge of history.
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 /loʊf/

Loaf

Meaning
a shaped mass of bread baked as a unit
Example
She bought a fresh loaf of bread from the bakery.
B2 adjective /ˈlæstɪŋ/

Lasting

Meaning
enduring for a long time; permanent; durable
Example
Their friendship had a lasting impact on both their lives.
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.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈlɛdʒəndɛri/

legendary

Meaning
remarkable enough to be famous; often used to describe something that is iconic or widely known
Example
The legendary musician performed in front of a packed stadium.
B2 adjective /ˈlɪb.ər.əl/

Liberal

Meaning
open-minded; tolerant; generous; progressive in thinking
Example
She has a liberal attitude towards different cultures and beliefs.
B2 noun /ˈluː.nər ɪˈklɪps/

Lunar eclipse

Meaning
an eclipse in which the moon appears darkened as it passes into the earth's shadow
Example
We watched the lunar eclipse from our backyard.
B2 noun /liːɡ/

league

Meaning
An association of people or groups united for a common purpose; also a unit of distance (old use).
Example
Several clubs formed a league to promote sportsmanship.
B2 adjective /lɑːrdʒ skeɪl/

large-scale

Meaning
involving a large number or quantity, or covering a large area
Example
The company is planning a large-scale expansion into international markets.
B2 noun /ˈleɪaʊt/

layout

Meaning
the arrangement or design of something, especially the arrangement of elements in a book, webpage, or room
Example
The designer presented a new layout for the website that was much more user-friendly.
B2 noun /lɪm/

limb

Meaning
an arm or leg of a person or animal; a large branch of a tree
Example
He broke a limb while climbing the tree.
B2 adjective /ˈlɪt.ər.ət/

Literate

Meaning
able to read and write; educated; well-educated
Example
She is a very literate person who reads extensively.
B2 noun

Loop

B2 noun /ˈlɒbi/

lobby

Meaning
a large open area near the entrance of a building; also a group trying to influence decisions.
Example
We met the manager in the hotel lobby before the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈlænd.lɔːrd/

Land lord

Meaning
a person who owns property and rents it to tenants
Example
The landlord collected the monthly rent from all tenants.
B2 noun /ˈloʊ.təs/

Lotus

Meaning
a large water flower that floats on the surface of ponds and lakes
Example
The lotus flower blooms beautifully in the quiet pond.
B2 adjective /ˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/

Liable

Meaning
legally responsible; accountable; obligated
Example
The company is liable for any damages caused by their defective products.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪf.taɪm/

lifetime

Meaning
The duration of a person's life or the existence of something.
Example
She achieved more in her lifetime than most people dream of.
B2 adjective /ˈliː.fi/

Leafy

Meaning
having many leaves; covered with leaves
Example
The leafy green vegetables are very nutritious.
B2 noun /ˌledʒɪsˈleɪʃən/

legislation

Meaning
laws considered collectively, or the act of making laws
Example
The government passed new legislation to protect the environment.
B2 adjective /lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mət/

Legitimate

Meaning
lawful; valid; genuine; reasonable
Example
He has a legitimate reason for being late.
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 /laɪm/

Lime

Meaning
a small green citrus fruit with acidic juice
Example
Add a slice of lime to your drink.
B2 noun /ˈlæn.tərn/

Lantern

Meaning
a portable lamp with a protective covering, often used outdoors
Example
We carried a lantern during our camping trip.
B2 noun

Longing

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 noun /ˈlɒk.ɪt/

Locket

Meaning
a small ornamental case, typically made of gold or silver, worn on a chain around the neck
Example
She kept her grandmother's photo in the locket.
B2 noun /ˈlænd.fɪl/

landfill

Meaning
a site where waste material is buried under the ground
Example
The city built a new landfill to manage its growing waste problem.
B2 noun, verb /laʊndʒ/

lounge

Meaning
A public room for relaxing; or to sit, lie, or stand in a relaxed way.
Example
They lounged on the sofa after dinner.