B2 noun
B1 noun /ˈlaɪ.kɪŋ/
Liking
Meaning
a feeling of regard or fondness; a preference or taste for something
Example
She has developed a liking for classical music.
B2 noun /laɪm/
Lime
Meaning
a small green citrus fruit with acidic juice
Example
Add a slice of lime to your drink.
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 adjective ləˈθɑːrdʒɪk
lethargic
Meaning
Being inactive due to lack of physical or mental energy
Example
After a heavy meal, he felt lethargic and sleepy.
C2 noun /ˈlæsi/
lassie
Meaning
a young girl (informal, mainly Scottish)
Example
The old man greeted the little lassie warmly.
C2 adjective /ˈlæmbənt/
lambent
Meaning
glowing or flickering softly; having a gentle radiance
Example
The lambent light of the candle filled the room with warmth.
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.
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.
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.
B1 noun /ˈlæftər/
laughter
Meaning
the act or sound of laughing
Example
The room was filled with laughter.
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 adjective /ˈlæk.ti.əl/
lacteal
Meaning
Relating to or resembling milk; conveying chyle or milky fluid.
Example
The lacteal vessels in the small intestine absorb dietary fats.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈlækˌlʌstər/
lackluster
Meaning
Lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired or uninspiring.
Example
The lackluster performance disappointed the audience.
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.
C1 verb /ˈlɪbəreɪt/
liberate
Meaning
to set free from imprisonment, oppression, or restraint
Example
The army liberated the city from enemy control.
B2 adjective /lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mət/
Legitimate
Meaning
lawful; valid; genuine; reasonable
Example
He has a legitimate reason for being 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.
B1 verb /lend/
lend
Meaning
to give temporarily; to allow someone to use something
Example
Can you lend me your pen?
B2 adjective /ˈlækɪŋ/
lacking
Meaning
not having enough of something; missing
Example
His report was lacking in detail.
B1 adverb /ˈlaɪk.li/
Likely
Meaning
probably; having a high probability of happening or being true
Example
It will likely rain tomorrow according to the weather forecast.
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 /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 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 /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 adjective /ˈlʌv.ɪŋ/
Loving
Meaning
affectionate; caring; showing love and warmth
Example
She is a loving mother who cares deeply for her children.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪəri/
leery
Meaning
Cautious or wary due to suspicion or distrust.
Example
She was leery of investing in the new business.
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 verb /let/
let
Meaning
to allow someone to do something; to give permission
Example
Please let me help you with that task.
B2 noun /ˈlɔɪəlti/
loyalty
Meaning
a strong feeling of support or allegiance
Example
His loyalty to the company earned him great respect.
A2 noun /ˈlev.əl/
level
Meaning
A position on a real or imaginary scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality.
Example
Pollution levels must be reduced urgently.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈlaɪf.lɒŋ/
lifelong
Meaning
Lasting or existing for the whole of a person's life.
Example
They remained lifelong friends.
C2 adjective ˌlæb.əˈrɪn.θaɪn
labyrinthine
Meaning
Like a labyrinth; complicated and confusing; having many interconnected paths or passages.
Example
The old city streets were labyrinthine.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈlɛdʒɪslətɪv/
legislative
Meaning
relating to the making of laws
Example
The legislative body passed the new tax bill.
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.
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 noun /ˈlɒdʒɪk/
logic
Meaning
Reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.
Example
Her argument was based on sound logic.
C2 noun /ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃər/
ligature
Meaning
A thing used for tying or binding tightly; in music/printing, two or more notes or letters joined together.
Example
The doctor used a ligature to stop the bleeding.
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 verb /ˈlʌmbər/
lumber
Meaning
to move in a slow, heavy, awkward way
Example
The bear lumbered through the forest in search of food.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪsəm/
lissome
Meaning
Thin, supple, and graceful in movement.
Example
The dancer moved with a lissome elegance.
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.
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.
A1 adjective /lɑːrdʒ/
Large
Meaning
of considerable size, extent, or intensity; big
Example
The large building dominated the city skyline.
B2 adjective /ˈluː.nər/
Lunar
Meaning
relating to the moon; of or concerning the moon
Example
The lunar eclipse was visible last night.
A2 noun /ˈlɜrnɪŋ/
learning
Meaning
The process of gaining knowledge or skills through study or experience.
Example
Learning a new language can be exciting.
C1 adjective ˈluː.sɪd
lucid
Meaning
Clear and easily understandable thoughts or explanations.
Example
His explanation was so lucid that everyone understood it.
A1 noun /laɪf/
life
Meaning
The existence of an individual human being or animal.
Example
Life is full of challenges and opportunities.
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 adjective /ˈlɪsɪt/
licit
Meaning
Permitted by law or by rules; legal.
Example
The trade of certain goods is licit under international 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.
A1 verb /læf/
laugh
Meaning
to make sounds and movements expressing happiness or amusement
Example
The joke made everyone laugh.
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.
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.
A2 noun /læb/
lab
Meaning
a place equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching
Example
The students conducted an experiment in the chemistry lab.
C1 adjective /ˌlaɪtˈhɑːrtɪd/
light-hearted
Meaning
cheerful, carefree, and not serious
Example
She gave a light-hearted speech at the party.
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 adjective /ˈlɔː.ləs/
Lawless
Meaning
without law; anarchic; unruly; criminal
Example
The frontier town was known for its lawless behavior and chaos.
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.
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 adjective lɪŋˈɡwɪs.tɪk
linguistic
Meaning
Related to language or linguistics; concerning the scientific study of language.
Example
The AI model learns from linguistic patterns.
A1 adjective/adverb /leɪt/
late
Meaning
arriving, happening, or done after the expected time
Example
He arrived late to the meeting.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪtərəl/
littoral
Meaning
Related to or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake.
Example
The littoral zone is home to many unique marine species.
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 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.
B1 noun /ˈlæbrətɔːri/
laboratory
Meaning
A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching.
Example
The students conducted the experiment in the chemistry laboratory.
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.
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/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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
B1 noun /læk/
Lack
Meaning
the state of being without or not having enough of something; absence or shortage
Example
The lack of rain this summer has caused serious problems for farmers.
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 /luːˈsɪd.ə.ti/
lucidity
Meaning
Clarity of thought or style; the quality of being easily understood.
Example
His explanation had great lucidity, making it easy to understand.
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.
C1 verb /ˈlɪŋɡər/
linger
Meaning
to stay in a place longer than necessary; to persist
Example
The smell of coffee lingered in the kitchen.
C2 adjective /ˈloʊð.səm/
Loathsome
Meaning
causing hatred or disgust; repulsive
Example
The loathsome smell from the garbage made everyone leave the room.
A2 noun /liːf/
Leaf
Meaning
a flattened structure of a higher plant, typically green and blade-like, that is attached to a stem
Example
The autumn leaves are falling from the tree.
C2 verb /ˈlɔɪtər/
loiter
Meaning
To stand or wait around idly without apparent purpose.
Example
The teenagers were told not to loiter outside the shop.
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 adverb /ˈliːɡəli/
legally
Meaning
in a way that is allowed by law
Example
He is legally responsible for his actions.
C2 adjective /lɪˈtɪdʒəs/
litigious
Meaning
prone to engage in lawsuits or overly inclined to argue legally
Example
He is known as a litigious neighbor who often sues people.
C2 verb /leɪv/
lave
Meaning
To wash or bathe.
Example
She laved her face with cool water.
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.
B1 noun /ˈlɛktʃərər/
lecturer
Meaning
a person who gives lectures, especially at a college or university
Example
The lecturer explained the theory with clear examples.
C2 noun /ˌlæs.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
laceration
Meaning
a deep cut or tear in skin or flesh
Example
He needed stitches for a laceration on his leg.
C1 noun /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/
linguistics
Meaning
The scientific study of language and its structure.
Example
She decided to major in linguistics at university.
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.
C2 noun /ˈlɪbərˌtiːn/
libertine
Meaning
A person who behaves without moral principles, especially in sexual matters.
Example
The novel depicted the reckless life of a libertine in 18th century France.
C1 verb /ləˈmɛnt/
lament
Meaning
to express grief, sorrow, or regret about something
Example
She lamented the loss of her childhood home.
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 ˌlɪt.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən
litigation
Meaning
The process of taking legal action; a lawsuit.
Example
The litigation accused the regime of human rights abuses.
A1 pronoun/noun /lɒts/
lots
Meaning
A large number or amount of something.
Example
She has lots of friends in the city.
C2 adjective /ˈlɔːdəˌtɔːri/
laudatory
Meaning
Expressing praise or admiration.
Example
She wrote a laudatory review of the new book.
C1 noun /lɔnˈdʒɛvəti/
longevity
Meaning
Long life or long existence of something.
Example
Good habits contribute to health and longevity.
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.
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 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.
C2 noun /ˈlæn.sɪt/
lancet
Meaning
a small, sharp, two-edged surgical knife used for making small incisions
Example
The doctor used a lancet to prick the patient’s finger for a blood test.
C2 adjective /ˌluː.mɪˈnɛs.ənt/
luminescent
Meaning
Emitting light without heat, glowing softly.
Example
The luminescent watch dial was visible in the dark.
A2 adjective /liːst/
Least
Meaning
smallest in amount or degree; minimal
Example
This is the least expensive option available.
A1 adjective, noun, adverb, verb (past tense of leave) /lɛft/
left
Meaning
on or towards the side of the body that is to the west when facing north
Example
He turned left at the intersection.
C2 noun /ˈlɛvi/
levee
Meaning
An embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river or to hold back water.
Example
The town built a levee to protect itself from flooding.
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 /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 /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.
C2 noun /laʊs/
Louse
Meaning
a small insect that lives on the hair or skin of people or animals
Example
The child had a louse in his hair.
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.
C2 verb /læmˈpuːn/
lampoon
Meaning
to publicly criticize or ridicule someone or something with humor, irony, or sarcasm
Example
The cartoonist lampooned the politician for his contradictory statements.
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.
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.
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 /ˈlɪstləs/
listless
Meaning
lacking energy, enthusiasm, or interest
Example
She felt listless after working long hours without rest.
C2 verb /ˈlɛvɪteɪt/
levitate
Meaning
to rise or float in the air, usually without visible support.
Example
The magician made the table levitate during the show.
B1 adjective /luːs/
loose
Meaning
not firmly or tightly fixed in place
Example
The screw is loose and needs tightening.