litre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium frequency (common in specific contexts: measurement, science, cooking, motoring).Neutral formal and technical; common in everyday use in metric-system countries.
Quick answer
What does “litre” mean?
A metric unit of capacity, equal to 1000 cubic centimetres or 1.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A metric unit of capacity, equal to 1000 cubic centimetres or 1.76 pints.
A container holding this volume; used in contexts of fuel consumption (e.g., litres per 100km) or beverage packaging.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK/AU 'litre', US 'liter'. Measurement system: UK uses both metric and imperial, but litres are official for most liquids; US primarily uses customary units (gallons, quarts) but litres are common in science, medicine, and some products.
Connotations
UK: standard, neutral, metric system. US: often feels 'foreign' or 'scientific'; gallon is more standard for everyday fuel and milk.
Frequency
Much more frequent in British English daily life. In American English, mainly appears in scientific, automotive (engine displacement, fuel efficiency in 'litres per 100km'), and on imported beverage labels.
Grammar
How to Use “litre” in a Sentence
NUMERICAL VALUE + litre(s) + of + LIQUID/SUBSTANCEPOSSESSOR + has/needs/contains + NUMERICAL VALUE + litre(s)MEASURE + in + litresVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “litre” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A two-litre car is common here.
- Buy the five-litre container.
American English
- Get the two-liter bottle of soda.
- It's a 3.5-liter V6 engine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Pricing per litre (fuel, beverages). 'The wholesale price of milk has risen by 5p per litre.'
Academic
Used in chemistry, physics, biology for solutions and volumes. 'Dissolve 5g of solute in one litre of solvent.'
Everyday
Buying drinks, fuel, cooking. 'Could you pick up a two-litre bottle of cola?'
Technical
Engine displacement, fuel efficiency, medical IV fluids. 'The car has a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “litre”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “litre”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “litre”
- Confusing 'litre' (volume) with 'kilo' (mass).
- Spelling: 'liter' in British context, 'litre' in American context.
- Using with incorrect verb number: 'Three litres of milk is/are...' – usually singular when referring to a single quantity ('Three litres is a lot').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Litre' is the British (and most Commonwealth) English spelling. 'Liter' is the American English spelling. They refer to the same unit.
No. A litre is a unit of volume. A kilogram is a unit of mass. One litre of water has a mass of approximately one kilogram, but this varies for other substances.
Approximately 1.76 imperial pints (UK) or 2.11 US liquid pints.
Primarily in scientific, medical, and automotive contexts (engine size, some fuel efficiency ratings), and on labels for bottled water, soft drinks, and spirits.
A metric unit of capacity, equal to 1000 cubic centimetres or 1.
Litre is usually neutral formal and technical; common in everyday use in metric-system countries. in register.
Litre: in British English it is pronounced /ˈliːtə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈliːt̬ər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not running on all six litres (humorous, implying someone is slow-witted)”
- “The whole nine litres (exaggerated variation of 'the whole nine yards')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LITRE of water is a LITTLE more than a QUART (US quart is ~0.946 litres). Both start with 'LIT' – think of a LIT candle on a container marking one litre.
Conceptual Metaphor
VOLUME IS SPACE CONTAINED, CAPACITY IS POWER (e.g., 'big-litre engine').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a correct British English spelling and typical usage?