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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.
C1 noun /luː/

lieu

Meaning
Instead of; in place of.
Example
He gave money in lieu of flowers.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/

lackadaisical

Meaning
lacking enthusiasm, energy, or determination; careless or lazy
Example
His lackadaisical attitude toward work annoyed his boss.
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.
B1 noun /ˈlaɪf.staɪl/

lifestyle

Meaning
The way in which a person or group lives, including habits, attitudes, and possessions.
Example
A healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise and a balanced diet.
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.
B1 noun /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/

lightning

Meaning
a flash of light in the sky caused by electricity during a storm
Example
The lightning struck a tree near our house.
C2 adjective /lɪˈbɪdənəs/

libidinous

Meaning
Showing excessive sexual drive; lustful.
Example
The play was criticized for its libidinous characters.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈlæk.rɪ.moʊs/

lachrymose

Meaning
tearful or given to weeping; sad and mournful
Example
The movie's lachrymose ending left the audience in tears.
C1 noun /ˈliːniənsi/

leniency

Meaning
The quality of being more merciful or tolerant than expected.
Example
The judge showed leniency in his ruling.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈleɪ.baɪl/ or /ˈlæb.aɪl/

labile

Meaning
easily altered or unstable; prone to change
Example
Her mood was so labile that it changed several times in an hour.
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 /ˈleɪ.tən.si/

latency

Meaning
The delay in processing signals or data.
Example
High latency in online gaming can cause lagging issues.
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.
B1 noun /ˈlʌvər/

lover

Meaning
a person who is in a romantic relationship or has strong affection for someone
Example
She met her lover at the café every evening.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈleɪ.zi/

Lazy

Meaning
idle; unwilling to work; sluggish
Example
He was too lazy to clean his room on the weekend.
B1 noun /lɔːn/

Lawn

Meaning
an area of short, regularly mown grass in the grounds of a house or in a park
Example
She waters the lawn every morning.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈlaɪbələs/

libelous

Meaning
containing or constituting a false published statement that damages a person's reputation
Example
The article was found to be libelous and had to be retracted.
C2 noun /loʊd/

lode

Meaning
A rich source of something, often a vein of valuable metal in the earth.
Example
The miners discovered a rich lode of silver.
C1 verb /ləˈmɛnt/

lament

Meaning
to express grief, sorrow, or regret about something
Example
She lamented the loss of her childhood home.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪsɪt/

licit

Meaning
Permitted by law or by rules; legal.
Example
The trade of certain goods is licit under international law.
A1 adjective /ˈlɪtl/

little

Meaning
Small in size, amount, or degree.
Example
He drank a little water before going to bed.
A2 noun/adjective /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

living

Meaning
the state of being alive; or a way of earning money
Example
He makes his living as a teacher.
C2 noun /ˈliː.vɪŋz/

Leavings

Meaning
things that have been left behind or remain; remnants or scraps
Example
The leavings from dinner were given to the dog.
B2 verb /liːp/

leap

Meaning
to jump high or far; to move quickly with large steps
Example
The cat leaped onto the table.
B1 adjective /ˈlaɪv.li/

Lively

Meaning
full of life and energy; animated; cheerful
Example
The children had a lively discussion about their favorite books.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪmbər/

limber

Meaning
Flexible and agile in body or movement.
Example
Dancers need to stay limber to perform well.
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 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.
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.
B2 noun

Loop

C2 noun /ˌluː.mɪˈnɛs.əns/

luminescence

Meaning
The emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat; a type of cold light.
Example
The luminescence of the fireflies lit up the forest.
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.
B1 noun /ˈlænd.skeɪp/

Landscape

Meaning
all the visible features of an area of countryside or land; the art of designing outdoor areas
Example
The mountain landscape was breathtaking with its snow-capped peaks and green valleys.
B1 noun /læm/

Lamb

Meaning
a young sheep; meat from a young sheep
Example
The little lamb followed its mother everywhere.
A1 noun /laɪf/

life

Meaning
The existence of an individual human being or animal.
Example
Life is full of challenges and opportunities.
A1 verb /let/

let

Meaning
to allow someone to do something; to give permission
Example
Please let me help you with that task.
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.
A2 noun /ˈlɔːndri/

laundry

Meaning
clothes or linens that need to be washed or have been washed
Example
She folded the clean laundry neatly.
C2 noun /ˈlɔːŋ.ɡən/

Longan

Meaning
a small round tropical fruit with translucent white flesh and sweet taste, related to lychee
Example
Longan fruits are often eaten fresh or dried and are popular in Asian desserts.
C1 verb /ˈliːɡəlaɪz/

legalize

Meaning
To make something lawful by official approval.
Example
The government decided to legalize online businesses.
C2 noun /ˈlæsi/

lassie

Meaning
a young girl (informal, mainly Scottish)
Example
The old man greeted the little lassie warmly.
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 verb /lɑːl/

loll

Meaning
To sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way.
Example
He lolled on the sofa after a long day at work.
B2 adjective /ˈlɪtərɛri/

literary

Meaning
concerning the writing, study, or content of literature
Example
She is a well-known figure in the literary world.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈluːsənt/

lucent

Meaning
shining or glowing with light
Example
The lucent stars brightened the night sky.
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.
C2 noun /ˈliːdʒənəri/

legionary

Meaning
a soldier in the Roman army
Example
Each legionary carried a shield and a short sword.
C2 verb /lʌɡ/

lug

Meaning
to carry or drag something heavy or cumbersome with effort
Example
He had to lug the suitcase up three flights of stairs.
C1 verb /lʊər/

lure

Meaning
to attract or tempt someone, often by offering something appealing
Example
The advertisement lured customers with promises of discounts.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈlʌv.ə.bəl/

Lovable

Meaning
deserving of love; endearing; adorable
Example
The puppy was so lovable that everyone wanted to adopt it.
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 /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.
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.
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.
A2 adjective /laɪt ɡriːn/

Light green

Meaning
a pale shade of green color; not dark green
Example
She wore a light green dress to the garden party.
C2 noun /ˈlɔːndrəs/

laundress

Meaning
A woman whose job is washing clothes and linens.
Example
The laundress delivered the freshly cleaned clothes to the household.
C2 noun /ˈlæɡ.ərd/

Laggard

Meaning
a person who makes slow progress and falls behind others; someone who is slow to act
Example
The laggard student finally submitted his assignment after the deadline.
A2 noun /ˈlem.ən/

Lemon

Meaning
a yellow citrus fruit with acidic juice
Example
She squeezed a lemon into her tea.
A2 noun /laɪt bʌlb/

Light bulb

Meaning
a glass or plastic container that produces light when electricity passes through it
Example
The light bulb in the kitchen needs to be replaced.
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.
A2 verb /ˈloʊər/

lower

Meaning
to move something to a lower position or to reduce
Example
The company decided to lower the prices.
A1 noun /lænd/

Land

Meaning
the part of the earth's surface that is not covered by water; an area of ground, soil, or earth
Example
The farmer worked hard to cultivate his land and grow healthy crops.
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.
C2 adjective /laɪˈsɛnʃəs/

licentious

Meaning
Lacking moral restraint; disregarding accepted rules of conduct.
Example
The novel was criticized for its licentious themes.
B2 noun /ˈlɛtɪs/

lettuce

Meaning
a leafy green vegetable commonly used in salads and sandwiches
Example
She added fresh lettuce to the sandwich.
A2 noun /ˈlæd.ər/

Ladder

Meaning
a structure consisting of two upright parallel sides connected by rungs, used for climbing up or down
Example
He climbed the ladder to reach the books on the top shelf.
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.
B1 noun /læd/

lad

Meaning
a boy or young man; a male youth
Example
The young lad helped his father in the shop.
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 /ˌloʊ ˈspɪrɪtɪd/

low-spirited

Meaning
feeling sad, depressed, or lacking enthusiasm
Example
He felt low-spirited after hearing the bad news.
C2 noun /lɑːrˈʒes/

largess

Meaning
Generosity in giving gifts or money.
Example
The foundation survived thanks to the largess of wealthy donors.
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.
C2 verb /lɪr/

leer

Meaning
To look at someone in an unpleasant, sly, or sexually suggestive way.
Example
He leered at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
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.
C2 noun /lɔːŋ ˈpepər/

Long pepper

Meaning
a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit which is used as a spice
Example
Long pepper was more valuable than black pepper in ancient times.
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 ləˈdʒɪs.tɪks

Logistics

Meaning
The detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
Example
Logistics ensures timely delivery.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈleɪ.bərd/

labored

Meaning
done with great effort and difficulty; or past tense of labor
Example
He gave a labored explanation that confused the audience.
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 /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.
A1 noun /ˈlaɪ.brər.i/

Library

Meaning
a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or refer to
Example
She goes to the library every weekend to study.
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.
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.
C2 noun /lɔːˈdeɪʃən/

laudation

Meaning
The act of praising or expressing approval.
Example
The poet received much laudation for his moving verses.
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.
C2 noun /lɒŋ ˈwɪskəd ˈkætfɪʃ/

Long whiskered catfish

Meaning
A type of freshwater fish with long whisker-like barbels around its mouth
Example
The fisherman caught a long whiskered catfish in the river.
A2 noun /lʌk/

Luck

Meaning
success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions
Example
She had good luck with her job interview.
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.
C2 noun /ˈlɔːˌɡɪvər/

lawgiver

Meaning
A person who creates or enforces laws; a legislator.
Example
Moses is often regarded as a great lawgiver in history.
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 noun /ˌlɛksɪˈkɒɡrəfər/

lexicographer

Meaning
A person who compiles, writes, or edits dictionaries.
Example
The lexicographer spent years compiling the dictionary.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈloʊɪst/

lowest

Meaning
Of the smallest amount, extent, or intensity; minimal.
Example
The unemployment rate is at its lowest in 15 years.
A2 noun /loʊˈkeɪʃən/

location

Meaning
a particular place or position
Example
This cafe is in a beautiful location near the lake.
C2 noun /lɪˈnoʊ.li.əm/

linoleum

Meaning
a durable, washable floor covering made from solidified linseed oil, wood flour, or cork dust on a canvas backing
Example
They decided to cover the kitchen floor with linoleum.
B1 noun /ˈlɪt.ər.ə.ʧər/

Literature

Meaning
written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit; books and writings published on a particular subject
Example
She studied English literature at university.
C2 noun /lɔːŋ ɡɔːrd/

Long gourd

Meaning
an elongated green vegetable belonging to the cucumber family, used in cooking
Example
She sliced the long gourd thinly for the stir-fry dish.
A2 adjective /loʊ/

low

Meaning
Small in amount, degree, or position; not high.
Example
The river is at its lowest level in years.
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 adjective /liːn/

Lean

Meaning
thin; having little fat; weak
Example
He has a lean and muscular body.
C1 adjective /ˌlaɪtˈhɑːrtɪd/

light-hearted

Meaning
cheerful, carefree, and not serious
Example
She gave a light-hearted speech at the party.
A1 noun /lɛɡ/

leg

Meaning
one of the limbs on which a person or animal walks and stands
Example
He injured his leg while playing football.
B1 noun /ˈleʒ.ər/

Leisure

Meaning
time when one is not working or occupied; free time used for enjoyment
Example
She enjoys reading books in her leisure time.
C2 adjective /ˈleɪ.tɪʃ/

latish

Meaning
Somewhat late; occurring or arriving later than usual but not very late.
Example
We arrived latish to the party but still caught most of the fun.
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 /ˌlaɪ.sənˈsiː/

Licensee

Meaning
a person or organization that holds a license to do something
Example
The licensee is responsible for following all regulations.
C2 noun /ˈlɪtɪɡənt/

litigant

Meaning
a person involved in a lawsuit
Example
The court summoned both litigants for the hearing.
C2 noun/verb /læˈsuː/

lasso

Meaning
a rope with a loop used to catch animals; to catch with such a rope
Example
The cowboy lassoed the horse quickly.
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.
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.
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.