Explanation:
L
WordBritish English meaningsMeanings common to British and American EnglishAmerican English meanings
laddera run (vertical split) in the fabric of tightsa vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps.
lavatorytoiletcloset in passenger vehicles (e.g. trains) containing a toilet and washbasin/sink.washbasin, place for washing
lay by (v.), lay-by (n.)(n.) roadside parking or rest area for drivers (US: rest stop)(v.) to lay aside
to stow(n.) a last cultivating in the growing of a crop
(v.) to cultivate (a crop) for the last time
lead(rhyming with "speed") a cable (US: cord), or a dog's leashto guide through(n.) a clue or potential source of information (esp. in context of journalistic investigation) *
leadernewspaper editorial
main violin in an orchestra (US: concertmaster)
see also Leader of the Oppositionone who leadsa pipe for carrying water ("rain water leader")
lecturerthe entry-level academic rank at a university (below Senior Lecturer, Reader, and Professor)someone who gives a lecturethe entry-level academic rank at a university (below Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor)
lemonadeclear, carbonated, lemon-flavoured drink similar to Sprite and 7 Up (lemon and lime flavoured) non-carbonated drink made by mixing lemon juice, sugar, and water (UK: traditional lemonade)
letto rent out (as real property, and denoting the transaction from the owner's perspective); Tenants "take" or "rent" the property being let. *("rooms to let")
(n.) the act of renting; rented premises
(let out) to reveal
allow, give permission.
leave (as in let him be or let it be)
ease (as in let up on the accelerator)
indicate (as in don't let on)
a first bad serve which is allowed to be retaken, as in tennis, table tennis, and volleyball(let out) to end (of school, meetings, etc.)
leveean early afternoon assembly held by the King or Queen, to which only men were admitted (Always levée, with accent)a reception in honour of a particular personan embankment on a river (as the Mississippi River)
the steep bank of a river, or border of an irrigated field
(esp. Southern & Western US) a landing place or quay
leverage mechanical advantage of a lever
take advantage of a capability (business)
the use of debt finance (UK: gearing)*
knowledge not immediately revealed to be used to one's advantage *
liberal (politics)a person who generally supports the ideas of the UK Liberal Democrats, a centre-left partya person who holds the political ideals of Liberalism.a person who advocates modern liberalism; see also Liberalism in the United States for historic background
life preservera type of weapon for self-defence (US: blackjack) life vest, personal flotation device (UK: lifebelt or lifejacket)
lift (n.)platform or cage moved vertically in a shaft to transport people and goods to various floors in a building (US: elevator)ride as a passenger in a vehicle (as in, to give someone a lift)
item placed in shoe to increase the height of the wearer, normally plural (lifts, elevator shoes)an elevation in mood, "I got a lift just talking with her."
line(see also track)a breadthless lengtha group of persons, usually waiting for something, arranged in order of arrival (UK: queue)
a lie, short for a line of bull
a phrase used for hitting on women, short for pickup line
to hit a line drive (a hard straight shot) in baseball
liquorthe broth resulting from the prolonged cooking of meat or vegetables. Green liquor is traditionally served with pie and mash in the East End of London a distilled beverage *
(hard liquor) strongly alcoholic beverage; spirits
(liquor store) retail establishment selling liquor (usu. for consumption off the premises) (UK similar: off-licence) ("I held up and robbed a hard liquor store" – Paul Simon)
(malt liquor) a type of beer with high alcohol content
loaded the state of a firearm with bullets or shells in its firing chamber.
bearing a load.
(slang; of a person) richdrunk or high
lollyFrozen water-based dessert on a stick (US: popsicle).(short for lollipop) candy on a stick.
lot (a lot) a great deal
a number of things (or, informal, people) taken collectively
fate, fortune
a prize in a lottery
(the lot) the whole thinga measured plot of land; a portion of land set for a particular purpose ("a building lot"), e.g. for parking ("parking lot") or selling ("used car lot") automotive vehicles. But also a "vacant lot"
a film studio
loungea room for relaxation and entertainment in a house
(lounge bar) part of a puba room for relaxation in a public placea bar
love (in addressing people)informal term of addressbeloved person, darling (often a term of endearment)
loveseata seat which accommodates two people facing in opposite directions. Can be wooden or padded. a two-seater couch
lox liquid oxygen (engineering)thin-sliced smoked salmon, commonly consumed on bagels; Yiddish from German 'Lachs', salmon.
lugs (n.)ears (lugholes)a small projection (engineering)a lug nut
