This list includes 57 Simple words that start with L, ranging from “label” to “lunch”. They are common, easy-to-pronounce words useful for teachers, parents, ESL learners, and early readers.
Simple words that start with L are everyday, often short words beginners learn first. The letter L derives from an ancient Semitic sign, and many L-words name common objects or actions.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Definition, and Etymology.
Word: The simple target word as it appears; you can use it for reading, spelling, or vocabulary lists.
Definition: A short, learner-friendly meaning in one clear sentence, helping you explain the word to beginners.
Etymology: A brief origin note that shows the word’s linguistic roots and cultural background for deeper learner context.
Simple words that start with L
| Word | Part of speech | Syllables | Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| label | noun/verb | 2 | Middle English, from Old French “labelle” |
| lady | noun | 2 | Old English “hlǣfdige” |
| lamb | noun | 1 | Old English “lamb” |
| lamp | noun | 1 | Old English/Latin via Old French |
| land | noun/verb | 1 | Old English “land” |
| lane | noun | 1 | Old English “læne” |
| large | adjective | 1 | Old French “large” |
| last | adjective/verb | 1 | Old English “lætst” |
| late | adjective/adverb | 1 | Old English “læt” |
| later | adverb/adjective | 2 | Old English “læt”+”-er” |
| laugh | verb/noun | 1 | Old English “hliehhan” |
| law | noun | 1 | Old English/Norse roots |
| lay | verb | 1 | Old English “lecgan” |
| lead | verb/noun | 1 | Old English “lēdan” |
| leaf | noun | 1 | Old English “lēaf” |
| learn | verb | 1 | Old English “leornian” |
| leave | verb | 1 | Old English “lǣfan” |
| left | adjective/adverb | 1 | Old English “lyft/left” |
| leg | noun | 1 | Old English “lǣg” |
| lend | verb | 1 | Old English “lǣnan” |
| less | adjective/adverb | 1 | Old English “lǣs” |
| let | verb | 1 | Old English “lǣtan” |
| letter | noun | 2 | Latin “littera” via Old French |
| level | noun/adjective | 2 | Old French/Latin roots |
| lie | verb | 1 | Old English roots |
| life | noun | 1 | Old English “līf” |
| lift | verb/noun | 1 | Old English “lyftan” |
| light | noun/adjective/verb | 1 | Old English “līht” |
| like | verb/preposition | 1 | Old English “lician” |
| line | noun/verb | 1 | Latin “linea” |
| link | noun/verb | 1 | Old English/Old Norse influence |
| lip | noun | 1 | Old English “lippa” |
| list | noun/verb | 1 | Old English “liste” |
| listen | verb | 2 | Old English “hlysnan” |
| little | adjective/pronoun | 2 | Old English “lytla” |
| live | verb/adjective | 1 | Old English “libban” |
| load | noun/verb | 1 | Old English “lad”?/Old Norse roots |
| loaf | noun | 1 | Old English “hlāf” |
| loan | noun/verb | 1 | Old English/Old Norse roots |
| lock | noun/verb | 1 | Old English “locc” |
| long | adjective/adverb | 1 | Old English “lang” |
| look | verb/noun | 1 | Old English “lōc” |
| loose | adjective | 1 | Old English “lōs” |
| lose | verb | 1 | Old English “losian” |
| loss | noun | 1 | Old English “los” |
| lot | noun | 1 | Old English “hlot” |
| loud | adjective | 1 | Old English “hlūd” |
| love | noun/verb | 1 | Old English “lufu” |
| low | adjective/adverb | 1 | Old English “hlāw/hlēow” |
| luck | noun | 1 | Middle English from Old Norse |
| lucky | adjective | 2 | From luck + -y (Middle English) |
| lunch | noun | 1 | Shortened from “luncheon”, Middle English |
| lemon | noun | 2 | Old French/Arabic roots via Latin |
| lettuce | noun | 2 | Latin via Old French |
| lesson | noun | 2 | Latin “lectio” via Old French |
| length | noun | 1 | Old English “lengðu” |
| lion | noun | 2 | Latin “leo” via Old French |
Descriptions
label
A small piece of paper or word used to name or describe something; also the verb to name or tag.
lady
A polite word for a woman; common in stories and everyday speech.
lamb
A young sheep; a simple animal word for children’s books and ESL.
lamp
A small light source, good for teaching rooms, homes, and objects.
land
Ground or country; also the verb to arrive on the ground.
lane
A small road or path, often used in directions and maps for kids.
large
Big in size; common comparative word for describing objects.
last
Final or most recent; also a verb meaning to continue.
late
Not on time; used in daily routines and scheduling.
later
After now; useful for sequencing and time expressions.
laugh
To make a happy sound; a common action word for children.
law
Rules made by government; a basic civic vocabulary term.
lay
To put something down; an everyday action verb for learners.
lead
To guide or be in front; also a noun meaning the first position.
leaf
A plant part on trees; common in nature-themed lessons.
learn
To get knowledge or skills; a key verb for school and study contexts.
leave
To go away from or to let remain; common for daily routines.
left
Opposite of right, or past of leave; frequent in directions and storytelling.
leg
A body part used in movement; basic vocabulary for young learners.
lend
To give something temporarily; useful in social and classroom contexts.
less
Not as much; a common word for comparisons and quantities.
let
To allow or permit; a useful simple verb in many situations.
letter
A written symbol or a note sent by mail; key for literacy lessons.
level
A flat height or degree; often used in school and games.
lie
To recline or to tell an untrue statement; common but taught carefully.
life
The state of being alive; a basic, broad vocabulary word.
lift
To raise something up; a common action verb for children.
light
Brightness or not heavy; very common in daily descriptions.
like
To enjoy or be similar to; one of the most frequent beginner words.
line
A straight mark or row; used in drawing and directions.
link
To join things together; useful in both physical and digital contexts.
lip
Body part around the mouth; simple anatomy word for kids.
list
A series of items; common in classroom tasks and organizing.
listen
To pay attention to sounds; a fundamental classroom instruction.
little
Small in size or amount; high-frequency word for children.
live
To have life or inhabit a place; core everyday verb.
load
Something carried or the act of putting on; basic physical action word.
loaf
A whole piece of bread; common food vocabulary for kids.
loan
Something lent, often money; basic financial term though simple.
lock
A fastener for doors or the act of securing; everyday safety vocabulary.
long
Extending a great distance or duration; simple descriptive word.
look
To use the eyes or a glance; extremely common for early learners.
loose
Not tight or fixed; a useful opposite of tight.
lose
To no longer have something; common in games and everyday talk.
loss
The state of having lost something; often used with lose.
lot
A large amount or piece of land; common everyday word.
loud
Strong in sound; taught with listening and noise vocabulary.
love
A strong feeling of affection; central in stories and family language.
low
Not high in position or amount; simple spatial descriptor.
luck
Good or bad chance; common in casual conversation.
lucky
Having good fortune; common adjective for outcomes.
lunch
Midday meal; everyday word for school and family routines.
lemon
A yellow citrus fruit; common food vocabulary for children.
lettuce
A leafy vegetable; basic food vocabulary in kitchens and meals.
lesson
A unit of teaching or activity; essential school word.
length
How long something is; useful measurement word in early math.
lion
A big cat often in stories and zoo vocabulary; familiar animal word.