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English Words Starting With L

5,456 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Suffix Combining form Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

light pen
nounRare
/ˈlaɪt ˌpen/A hand-held light-sensitive input device that can be used to select text or draw directly on the screen of a computer or other electronic display.
light pipe
nounLow-frequency (Technical)
/ˈlaɪt ˌpaɪp/A transparent or translucent tube used to transmit light from one location to another.
light pollution
nounLow to Medium
/ˌlaɪt pəˈluːʃn/The presence of excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial light in the environment.
light quantum
nounC2
/laɪt ˈkwɒntəm/A discrete, indivisible packet or particle of electromagnetic radiation; a photon.
light rail
adjectivenounC1
/ˌlaɪt ˈreɪl/An urban public railway transport system using electric trains running on tracks, often partially segregated from other traffic, operating at a higher frequency and capacity than a tram but lower than a metro.
light reaction
nounLow
/ˈlaɪt riˌæk.ʃən/The initial stage of photosynthesis in plants and algae, which depends directly on light energy to produce ATP and NADPH, along with the release of oxygen from water.
light show
nounB2
/ˈlaɪt ʃəʊ/A display of moving coloured lights, often synchronized with music, designed as a form of entertainment.
light speed
adjectivenounLow (primarily technical/literary)
/ˈlaɪt spiːd/The constant speed at which light travels in a vacuum, approximately 299,792,458 metres per second; also used figuratively to mean an extremely fast rate.
light table
nounC1
/ˈlaɪt ˌteɪ.bəl/A device with a translucent, evenly lit surface, used for viewing, tracing, or editing transparent or translucent materials.
light therapy
nounC1
/ˈlaɪt ˌθer.ə.pi/A medical treatment for certain conditions, especially seasonal affective disorder (SAD), that uses exposure to artificial light.
light trap
nounLow / Specialized
/ˈlaɪt ˌtræp/A physical device used to attract, capture, or monitor insects or other organisms using light as the primary attractant.
light up
verbB2
/ˌlaɪt ˈʌp/To illuminate or make brighter with light; to begin to shine.
light valve
nounVery Low
/ˈlaɪt ˌvælv/A device or component that modulates, blocks, or transmits light based on an electrical or other control signal.
light verse
nounC1
/ˌlaɪt ˈvɜːs/Poetry that is humorous, playful, or unserious in tone and subject matter, often using simple forms and rhyme.
light water
nounLow (Technical)
/ˈlaɪt ˌwɔːtə/A nuclear physics/engineering term for ordinary water (H₂O) as opposed to 'heavy water' (deuterium oxide, D₂O).
light weight
nounB2
/ˈlaɪt.weɪt/Having little weight or being less heavy than average; designed to be easy to carry or move.
light welterweight
nounLow
/ˌlaɪt ˈwel.tə.weɪt/A weight division in combat sports, primarily professional boxing, between lightweight and welterweight.
light-emitting diode
nounC1/C2 (Technical term, high frequency in specific domains like technology, engineering, and consumer electronics)
/ˌlaɪt ɪˈmɪtɪŋ ˈdaɪəʊd/A semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it.
light-horseman
nounLow (historical/technical)
/ˌlaɪt ˈhɔːs.mən/A soldier, particularly of historical periods, who serves in a light cavalry unit, characterized by lighter armor and equipment than heavy cavalry, often used for scouting, skirmishing, and rapid maneuvers.
light-o'-love
nounVery low (archaic)
/ˌlʌɪt ə ˈlʌv/A fickle, inconstant, or promiscuous lover (archaic).

Showing 2921–2940 of 5456 words.