law
B1Formal, Academic, Legal, Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A rule established by a government or authority to govern behaviour within a society, enforced through penalties.
A statement of fact or principle describing a constant natural phenomenon or pattern (e.g., scientific law); the system of such rules in a particular society (the law); the profession of lawyers and judges; a principle guiding procedures or activities in a specific field (e.g., the laws of the game).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word shifts in meaning based on context: as a countable noun (a law, laws), it refers to specific rules; as an uncountable noun (the law), it refers to the legal system as an abstract concept or profession.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Few lexical differences. The study of law is called "Law" in the UK; in the US, it's commonly "Law School". Terms like "solicitor" (UK) vs. "attorney/lawyer" (US) are profession-specific, not the word 'law' itself.
Connotations
Similar connotations of authority, order, and justice. In US political discourse, "law and order" is a prominent phrase with specific socio-political weight.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both varieties, given its fundamental societal role.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + V: The law prohibits...V + N: to break/pass/enforce a lawADJ + N: a strict/unjust/civil lawPREP + N: against/by/under the lawVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lay down the law”
- “take the law into your own hands”
- “above the law”
- “the letter of the law”
- “a law unto oneself”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to compliance, regulations, and contractual obligations (e.g., 'We must operate within the law.').
Academic
Used in social sciences, humanities, and legal studies to discuss legal systems, jurisprudence, and theoretical principles.
Everyday
Refers to common rules people must follow (e.g., traffic laws, tax laws).
Technical
In science, describes immutable natural relationships (e.g., Newton's laws of motion, the law of gravity).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- It is not a standard verb. The verb form is archaic ('to sue', 'to litigate').
American English
- It is not a standard verb. The verb form is archaic ('to sue', 'to litigate').
adverb
British English
- No direct adverb form. Use 'legally' or 'lawfully'.
- They acted lawfully.
American English
- No direct adverb form. Use 'legally' or 'lawfully'.
- They proceeded legally.
adjective
British English
- law-abiding citizen
- law-maker
- law enforcement officer
American English
- law-abiding citizen
- lawmaker
- law enforcement agency
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Do not break the law.
- There is a law about seatbelts.
- The police enforce the law.
- Parliament passed a new environmental law last year.
- Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
- She wants to study law at university.
- The proposed law on data privacy has sparked considerable debate.
- He was practising law in London for over a decade before becoming a judge.
- Newton's first law of motion describes inertia.
- The intricacies of international maritime law require specialist knowledge.
- Her thesis deconstructs the interplay between customary law and statutory legislation.
- The company operated in a grey area, skirting the edges of antitrust law.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LAWyer standing in front of a courtroom full of LAW books, explaining the LAW.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (to pass, to break, to lay down the law); LAW IS A CONTAINER (within/outside the law); LAW IS AN AUTHORITY FIGURE (the law says...).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'law' as 'right' (право). 'Law' is system/rule (закон), while 'right' is a legal/moral entitlement. Distinguish 'criminal law' (уголовное право) from a 'criminal' (преступник). The phrase 'study law' means получить юридическое образование, not just изучать законы.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'law' as a verb (incorrect: 'They will law this practice'). Using uncountable 'law' with 'a' (incorrect: 'He studies a law'). Confusing 'law' with 'low' in pronunciation/spelling.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses 'law' to mean 'a natural principle'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As a specific rule, it's countable ('a new law', 'several laws'). Referring to the system or profession, it's uncountable ('study law', 'the rule of law').
'Law' is the broad, general term. 'Legislation' specifically refers to laws that are created by a legislative body (e.g., parliament, congress) through a formal process.
No, 'law' is not used as a standard verb in modern English. The related actions are 'to legislate', 'to enact', or 'to make law'.
It often refers to the legal system as a whole, the legal profession, or the police (e.g., 'He is in trouble with the law', 'She works in the law').
Collections
Part of a collection
Crime and Justice
B1 · 46 words · Vocabulary for law, crime and the justice system.