This list includes 92 Nouns that start with L, from “label” to “lyrics”. These entries emphasize common, teachable nouns useful for students, writers, ESL learners, and editors.
Nouns that start with L are words that name people, places, things, or ideas beginning with the letter L. Many come from Latin or Old English roots, reflecting long language history.
Below you’ll find the table with the Noun, Definition, and Example columns.
Noun: Lists the base noun in alphabetical order so you can find or recognize words quickly during study or writing.
Definition: Provides a concise one-line meaning to help you understand each noun’s common sense and classroom use.
Example: Shows a short, natural sentence using the noun so you see practical context and correct everyday usage.
Nouns that start with L
| Word | Definition | Plural / Countability | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| label | A small piece of paper or fabric attached to an object giving information. | labels / countable | Please write your name on the label before you mail it. |
| labor | Physical or mental effort, especially work done for wages. | uncountable | Building the new bridge required a lot of manual labor. |
| laboratory | A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching. | laboratories / countable | The scientist worked late in her laboratory every single night. |
| lace | A fine, open fabric of cotton or silk, made with intricate patterns. | uncountable | Her wedding dress was trimmed with beautiful, delicate white lace. |
| lack | The state of being without or not having enough of something. | uncountable or lacks / countable | A lack of sleep can negatively affect your overall health. |
| ladder | A piece of equipment with rungs used for climbing up or down. | ladders / countable | He used a tall ladder to paint the second story. |
| lady | A polite term for a woman, often implying good manners and refinement. | ladies / countable | An old lady offered her seat to the pregnant woman. |
| lake | A large body of water surrounded by land. | lakes / countable | We went for a swim in the cool, clear lake. |
| lamb | A young sheep, or the meat from this animal. | lambs / countable | The little lamb stayed close to its mother in the field. |
| lamp | A device that produces light, often powered by electricity or burning oil. | lamps / countable | She turned on the small lamp on her bedside table. |
| land | The part of the earth’s surface not covered by water. | uncountable | After many days at sea, the sailors finally saw land. |
| landscape | All the visible features of an area of land, often considered beautiful. | landscapes / countable | The artist painted a beautiful landscape of the rolling hills. |
| lane | A narrow road, especially in a rural area, or a division of a road. | lanes / countable | Please stay in your own lane when you are driving. |
| language | The system of communication used by a particular country or community. | languages / countable | She can speak three different languages fluently. |
| lantern | A lamp with a transparent case protecting the flame or bulb. | lanterns / countable | They lit a paper lantern and watched it float away. |
| lap | The flat area between the waist and knees of a seated person. | laps / countable | The cat curled up comfortably on her owner’s warm lap. |
| laptop | A portable computer small enough to use on one’s lap. | laptops / countable | He opened his laptop to check his email at the cafe. |
| laughter | The action or sound of laughing. | uncountable | The sound of laughter filled the room during the party. |
| laundry | Clothes and linens that need to be washed or have just been washed. | uncountable | I have to do a load of laundry this weekend. |
| law | The system of rules that a country or community recognizes and enforces. | laws / countable | It is against the law to speed in a school zone. |
| lawn | An area of land covered with short, regularly cut grass. | lawns / countable | He spent Saturday morning mowing the front lawn. |
| lawyer | A person who practices or studies law; an attorney or a counselor. | lawyers / countable | She hired a lawyer to help her with the legal contract. |
| layer | A sheet, quantity, or thickness of material covering a surface. | layers / countable | A thick layer of dust covered the old antique furniture. |
| layout | The way in which the parts of something are arranged or laid out. | layouts / countable | The layout of the new apartment was very open and spacious. |
| leader | The person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. | leaders / countable | A good leader inspires and motivates their team. |
| leaf | A flattened, typically green structure of a plant, used for photosynthesis. | leaves / countable | A single yellow leaf drifted down from the autumn tree. |
| leak | A hole that allows liquid or gas to pass through by accident. | leaks / countable | There was a small leak in the roof after the storm. |
| learning | The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or teaching. | uncountable | Lifelong learning is important for personal and professional growth. |
| leather | A material made from the tanned skin of an animal. | uncountable | His new jacket was made of high-quality brown leather. |
| lecture | An educational talk to an audience, especially one on a particular subject. | lectures / countable | The professor gave a lecture on modern European history. |
| ledge | A narrow horizontal surface projecting from a wall, cliff, or other surface. | ledges / countable | A pigeon landed on the narrow window ledge outside. |
| legacy | Something left or handed down by a predecessor. | legacies / countable | He left a legacy of kindness and generosity to his children. |
| legend | A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated. | legends / countable | The story of Robin Hood is a well-known English legend. |
| leisure | Time when one is not working or occupied; free time. | uncountable | He spends his leisure time reading books and hiking. |
| lemon | A yellow, oval citrus fruit with thick skin and acidic juice. | lemons / countable | I need one lemon to make the dressing for the salad. |
| length | The measurement of something from end to end. | lengths / countable or uncountable | What is the length of the table in centimeters? |
| lens | A piece of glass or other transparent material with curved sides. | lenses / countable | The photographer changed the lens on her camera for a closeup. |
| leopard | A large cat that has a yellowish-brown or orange coat with black spots. | leopards / countable | The leopard is known for its incredible speed and agility. |
| lesson | A period of time in which a person is taught something. | lessons / countable | I have a piano lesson every Tuesday afternoon. |
| letter | A character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech. | letters / countable | The word “cat” has three letters. |
| level | A position on a real or imaginary scale of amount, quantity, or quality. | levels / countable | The water level in the river rose after the heavy rain. |
| liar | A person who tells lies. | liars / countable | No one trusts him because he is a known pathological liar. |
| liberty | The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions. | uncountable | The statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom for many. |
| library | A building or room containing collections of books and periodicals. | libraries / countable | She borrowed three books from the local public library. |
| license | An official document giving you permission to do, use, or own something. | licenses / countable | You must have a valid driver’s license to operate a car. |
| lid | A removable or hinged cover for the top of a container. | lids / countable | Please put the lid back on the jar when you are finished. |
| lie | An intentionally false statement. | lies / countable | He told a lie about where he was last night. |
| life | The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter. | lives / countable or uncountable | She has had a very interesting and adventurous life. |
| lifestyle | The way in which a person or group lives. | lifestyles / countable | A healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet and regular exercise. |
| lift | A platform or compartment housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people. | lifts / countable | We took the lift to the tenth floor of the building. |
| light | The natural agent that makes things visible; a source of illumination. | light / uncountable or lights / countable | Open the curtains to let in some natural light. |
| lightning | A powerful natural electrical discharge between a cloud and the ground. | uncountable | A bright flash of lightning lit up the dark night sky. |
| likelihood | The state or fact of being probable. | uncountable | There is a strong likelihood of rain tomorrow. |
| limb | An arm or leg of a person or animal, or a large tree branch. | limbs / countable | The fallen tree had many broken limbs on the ground. |
| limit | A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend. | limits / countable | You should always drive within the designated speed limit. |
| line | A long, narrow mark or band. | lines / countable | Please draw a straight line at the bottom of the page. |
| link | A relationship between two things or situations; a connection. | links / countable | There is a strong link between diet and overall health. |
| lion | A large carnivorous cat of Africa and India with a tawny coat. | lions / countable | The lion is often called the “king of the jungle.” |
| lip | Either of the two fleshy folds that form the edges of the mouth. | lips / countable | She applied red lipstick to her lips before going out. |
| liquid | A substance that flows freely but is of constant volume. | liquids / countable or uncountable | You are not allowed to bring liquids over 100ml on the plane. |
| list | A number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively. | lists / countable | I made a shopping list before I went to the grocery store. |
| literature | Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. | uncountable | She is studying classic English literature at the university. |
| litter | Trash, such as paper, cans, and bottles, left lying in an open place. | uncountable | Please don’t drop litter on the ground; use the bin. |
| living | An income sufficient to live on or the means of earning it. | a living / countable | He earns a living as a freelance writer. |
| load | A heavy or bulky thing that is being carried or is about to be carried. | loads / countable | The truck was carrying a heavy load of construction materials. |
| loaf | A quantity of bread that is shaped and baked in one piece. | loaves / countable | She bought a loaf of bread from the local bakery. |
| loan | A thing that is borrowed, especially a sum of money. | loans / countable | He took out a loan from the bank to buy a new car. |
| lobby | A room providing a space out of which one or more other rooms lead. | lobbies / countable | I will meet you in the hotel lobby in ten minutes. |
| lobster | A large marine crustacean with a cylindrical body, stalked eyes, and claws. | lobsters / countable | We ate fresh lobster for dinner at the seaside restaurant. |
| location | A particular place or position. | locations / countable | The movie was filmed in several different exotic locations. |
| lock | A mechanism for keeping a door, lid, or container fastened. | locks / countable | He turned the key in the lock and opened the front door. |
| log | A part of the trunk or a large branch of a tree that has fallen. | logs / countable | We put another log on the fire to keep it burning. |
| logic | Reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity. | uncountable | He presented a clear argument based on sound logic and facts. |
| logo | A symbol or other design adopted by an organization to identify its products. | logos / countable | The Nike logo is recognized all over the world. |
| loneliness | Sadness because one has no friends or company. | uncountable | Loneliness can be a serious problem for elderly people. |
| look | An act of directing one’s gaze in order to see something. | looks / countable | He gave me a strange look when I told him the news. |
| loop | A shape produced by a curve that bends around and crosses itself. | loops / countable | She tied the rope in a secure loop. |
| loss | The fact or process of losing something or someone. | losses / countable or uncountable | The company suffered a great financial loss last year. |
| lotion | A thick, smooth liquid preparation designed to be applied to the skin. | lotions / countable or uncountable | She applied moisturizing lotion to her dry hands. |
| lottery | A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets and giving prizes. | lotteries / countable | He won a million dollars in the national lottery. |
| lounge | A public room in a hotel, theater, or club for waiting or relaxing. | lounges / countable | They had a drink in the airport lounge before their flight. |
| love | An intense feeling of deep affection. | uncountable | She has a great love for her family and friends. |
| loyalty | A strong feeling of support or allegiance. | uncountable | The dog showed great loyalty to its owner. |
| luck | Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s actions. | uncountable | I wish you the best of luck on your exam tomorrow. |
| luggage | Suitcases or other bags in which to pack personal belongings for traveling. | uncountable | We checked our luggage at the airport before the flight. |
| lumber | Timber sawn into rough planks or boards. | uncountable | The construction site had stacks of lumber ready for building. |
| lump | A compact mass of a substance, especially one without a regular shape. | lumps / countable | There was a lump of sugar at the bottom of my cup. |
| lunch | A meal eaten in the middle of the day. | lunches / countable or uncountable | What did you have for lunch today? |
| lung | Either of the pair of organs in the chest for breathing. | lungs / countable | Smoking can cause serious damage to your lungs. |
| lure | Something that tempts or is used to tempt a person or animal. | lures / countable | The fisherman used a colorful lure to attract the fish. |
| luxury | A state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense. | luxuries / countable or uncountable | Staying at the five-star hotel was a real luxury. |
| lyrics | The words of a song. | plural only | She memorized the lyrics to her favorite song. |
Descriptions
label
A label can be physical, like on clothing, or digital, like in an email program. It helps to categorize or identify something.
labor
Also spelled “labour” in British English. It often refers to the workforce as a whole, as in “management and labor.”
laboratory
Often shortened to “lab.” It’s a place for discovery and analysis in fields like chemistry, biology, and physics.
lace
While the material itself is uncountable, you can refer to “laces” when talking about the strings used to fasten shoes.
lack
Can be used as both a countable noun (“a lack of options”) and an uncountable one (“he showed a lack of respect”).
ladder
Figuratively, a “career ladder” or “social ladder” refers to the hierarchical steps one can climb to achieve success.
lady
It’s the female equivalent of “gentleman.” The term can sometimes sound a bit formal or old-fashioned depending on the context.
lake
Lakes are distinct from rivers because they don’t have a strong current, and they are different from oceans because they are inland.
lamb
As a food, the word “lamb” is typically uncountable, as in “We are having lamb for dinner tonight.”
lamp
Lamps are key for interior lighting and come in many styles, such as floor lamps, desk lamps, and table lamps.
land
It can also be countable (“lands”) when referring to specific tracts or countries, as in “foreign lands.”
landscape
This term is often used in art, photography, and geography to describe the overall appearance of an area.
lane
Also used in sports like swimming and bowling to mark a specific path for a competitor.
language
Language is a fundamental part of human culture and identity, consisting of words, grammar, and syntax.
lantern
Often associated with festivals, camping, or historical settings before electricity became common.
lap
In racing, a “lap” is one full circuit around the track.
laptop
Laptops have become essential for work, school, and entertainment due to their portability and power.
laughter
An example of an abstract, uncountable noun. You can’t have “three laughters,” but you can have “a peal of laughter.”
laundry
This is an uncountable noun. To specify a quantity, you say “a pile of laundry” or “two baskets of laundry.”
law
Can also refer to a single rule (“a new law was passed”). The field of study or profession is also called “law.”
lawn
A well-maintained lawn is a common feature of suburban homes in many Western countries.
lawyer
Lawyers represent clients in legal matters and provide advice. Synonyms include attorney, counsel, and solicitor (in the UK).
layer
Also used figuratively, as in “layers of meaning” in a poem or “wearing layers of clothing” in winter.
layout
Commonly used in design, publishing, and architecture to refer to the arrangement of elements like text, images, and rooms.
leader
Leadership is the quality a leader possesses. The word can apply to a CEO, a team captain, or a political figure.
leaf
The plural form “leaves” is an important irregular plural for ESL learners to master.
leak
The word can also be used as a verb (“The pipe is leaking”) and figuratively for information (“a news leak”).
learning
This is a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun) and is always uncountable.
leather
As a material, it is uncountable. You can’t say “leathers,” but you can refer to “leather goods.”
lecture
A common method of teaching in universities. The person giving the lecture is a “lecturer.”
ledge
Often used to describe a feature on a rock face or the side of a building.
legacy
A legacy can be money or property (an inheritance) or something more abstract, like a reputation or an impact.
legend
Can also refer to an extremely famous or notorious person, as in “a rock and roll legend.”
leisure
This abstract noun refers to the concept of free time. You can’t have “leisures.”
lemon
Figuratively, a “lemon” can also refer to a vehicle or other product that is defective.
length
It can be countable when referring to specific units, like “swimming lengths,” but is often uncountable when referring to the dimension.
lens
Lenses are used in cameras, glasses, and telescopes to focus light.
leopard
These powerful predators are native to Africa and Asia and are famous for their distinctive spotted coats.
lesson
A lesson can also refer to an experience from which one can learn, as in “Let that be a lesson to you.”
letter
It can also mean a written message sent by post, another very common usage.
level
Also used in games (“the next level”) and to mean a flat surface (“use a level to hang the picture straight”).
liar
This noun is formed from the verb “to lie.” It’s a strong accusation to call someone a liar.
liberty
An abstract noun that represents a core value in many cultures. It is a synonym for freedom.
library
Libraries are important community hubs for learning, reading, and accessing information, both in print and digitally.
license
Also spelled “licence” in British English, where “license” is the verb. Often used for driving, marriage, or software.
lid
Lids keep contents fresh, prevent spills, and provide a seal. A simple but essential everyday object.
lie
This is the noun form of the verb “to lie.” It’s a very common word, distinct from “lay.”
life
The plural is “lives.” “Life” can also be uncountable when referring to the general state of existence.
lifestyle
This compound noun encompasses a person’s habits, attitudes, and possessions.
lift
This is the common term in British English. In American English, the equivalent word is “elevator.”
light
As an uncountable noun, it refers to illumination in general. As a countable noun, it refers to individual lamps (“turn on the lights”).
lightning
Always uncountable. You can’t say “a lightning.” You would say “a flash of lightning” or “a bolt of lightning.”
likelihood
This noun expresses probability. It is often followed by “of” and a gerund (e.g., “likelihood of succeeding”).
limb
While it can refer to a tree branch, it most commonly refers to the arms and legs of a person.
limit
A limit defines a boundary. It can be a physical, legal, or personal boundary.
line
A very versatile word. It can also mean a queue of people (“a line for the bus”) or a product series (“a new line of clothing”).
link
In the digital world, a “link” (or hyperlink) is a reference to data that the user can follow by clicking.
lion
Lions are social cats that live in groups called prides. They are a popular symbol of strength and courage.
lip
The word “lips” is almost always used in its plural form.
liquid
It can be countable when referring to different types of liquids (“oils, juices, and other liquids”).
list
Lists help to organize information, from to-do lists to guest lists.
literature
This uncountable noun refers to the body of written works as a whole. You can talk about “a work of literature.”
litter
An uncountable noun for rubbish. It can also refer to a group of young animals born at the same time (“a litter of kittens”).
living
Often used in the phrase “to make a living.” It refers to one’s livelihood or source of income.
load
Figuratively, a “load” can be a mental burden, as in “a load off my mind.”
loaf
The plural is “loaves.” This is another key irregular plural for English learners.
loan
A loan is expected to be paid back, often with interest.
lobby
The lobby is the entrance area of a building, especially a hotel, theater, or office building.
lobster
Lobster is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. As a food, it can be uncountable.
location
A very common word used to ask “where” something is. It is a synonym for place, spot, or position.
lock
The word “lock” can be both a noun and a verb (“Did you lock the door?”).
log
Can also refer to a record of events, as in a ship’s log or a computer log file.
logic
Logic is an abstract, uncountable noun related to reason and rational thinking.
logo
Logos are a key part of branding and corporate identity.
loneliness
This abstract noun describes the state of feeling lonely. It is the noun form of the adjective “lonely.”
look
While “look” is very common as a verb, it is also frequently used as a noun, often with an adjective.
loop
Also used figuratively, as in “being in the loop” (being informed) or a “feedback loop.”
loss
Can be countable (“a loss”) or uncountable (“a sense of loss”). It is the opposite of a gain or a win.
lotion
It can be uncountable when referring to the substance in general, or countable for different types (“a variety of lotions”).
lottery
Winning the lottery is often used as an example of a very unlikely event.
lounge
Can also refer to a “lounge chair” or a “living room” in a house.
love
A fundamental abstract noun. It can be used countably (“my one true love”) but is most often uncountable.
loyalty
Loyalty is an abstract quality valued in friendships, families, and professional relationships.
luck
An uncountable noun representing chance. To wish someone well, you say “Good luck!” not “Good lucks!”
luggage
This is a key uncountable noun for travelers. To count it, you must say “pieces of luggage.”
lumber
This is the common term in American English. In British English, the equivalent word is “timber.”
lump
Can be used for many substances, like a lump of coal, a lump of clay, or a lump in the throat.
lunch
Usually countable (“I packed two lunches”). It’s one of the main meals of the day, between breakfast and dinner.
lung
Lungs are essential for respiration, taking in oxygen from the air and releasing carbon dioxide.
lure
A lure can be a physical object for fishing or a more abstract temptation or enticement.
luxury
It can be an uncountable concept (“a life of luxury”) or countable things (“small luxuries like good chocolate”).
lyrics
This noun is almost always used in its plural form. You would refer to “the lyrics” of a song, not “a lyric.”