This list includes 102 Adjectives that start with L, from “lackadaisical” to “lyrical”. You can use these adjectives for writing, editing, vocabulary study, and creative expression.
Adjectives that start with L are descriptive words beginning with the letter L that modify nouns or pronouns. Many come from Latin roots, giving words like “luminous” and “languid” a long literary history.
Below you’ll find the table with Adjective, Definition, Example sentence, and Register.
Adjective: The word itself in base form; you use this to scan and choose the adjective you need quickly.
Definition: A concise one-line meaning to help you understand how the adjective qualifies a noun in context.
Example sentence: A short, natural sentence showing the adjective in everyday use so you can copy or adapt it.
Register: A brief note such as “formal”, “colloquial”, or “archaic” that tells you when the adjective fits best.
Adjectives that start with L
| Adjective | Definition | Example | Register/Notes | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| laconic | Using few words; concise | His laconic reply ended the conversation quickly. | formal | Commonly used to praise concise speech; collocates with “reply” and “style.” |
| lackadaisical | Showing little enthusiasm or interest | Her lackadaisical effort disappointed the team. | informal | Suggests careless or halfhearted behavior; often negative in tone. |
| lackluster | Dull; lacking vitality or brilliance | The movie received lackluster reviews from critics. | informal | Used about performances, products, or appearances; implies underwhelming quality. |
| lacy | Made of or resembling lace | She wore a lacy summer dress to the party. | neutral | Describes textiles or delicate patterns; can be literal or figurative. |
| ladylike | Characteristic of a well-bred woman | He expected her to act ladylike at dinner. | dated | Traditional, sometimes old-fashioned; used about manners or appearance. |
| lamentable | Regrettable; unfortunate | It was a lamentable waste of public funds. | formal | Often used in formal critique or moral judgment. |
| languid | Slow, relaxed, weak from fatigue | He gave a languid wave and smiled. | literary | Evokes relaxed or lethargic movement; common in literary descriptions. |
| lanky | Tall and thin, often awkward | The lanky teenager towered over his classmates. | informal | Describes body shape; slightly colloquial and visual. |
| lapidary | Characterized by precision of wording | Her lapidary prose was admired by editors. | formal | Literary/academic; means concise and polished phrasing. |
| lapse? (exclude) | ||||
| large | Of considerable size or extent | They moved into a large apartment downtown. | neutral | Very common; used with size, amount, or importance. |
| lascivious | Showing excessive sexual desire | The novel’s explicit content seemed lascivious. | formal | Strongly negative sexual connotation; used in legal or moral contexts. |
| lasting | Continuing for a long time | They formed a lasting friendship after college. | neutral | Common adjective for durability or enduring effects. |
| late | Occurring after the expected time | She arrived late to the meeting. | neutral | Also used figuratively (late artist); common and versatile. |
| latent | Present but not visible or active | The virus remained latent in his system. | technical | Used in science and psychology; suggests hidden potential or state. |
| lateral | Relating to the side; sideways | Make a lateral move to balance the load. | technical | Common in anatomy, engineering, and figurative uses like “lateral thinking.” |
| lathered? (exclude) | ||||
| laudable | Deserving praise or commendation | Their efforts to recycle are laudable. | formal | Positive evaluation; used in reviews, speeches, and formal praise. |
| lavender | Pale purple; like the lavender flower | The bedroom had soft lavender walls and curtains. | neutral | Can be color adjective or aromatic descriptor. |
| lavish | Extravagant or generous to excess | They threw a lavish wedding for friends. | neutral | Often about spending or praise; collocates with “gifts” and “celebration.” |
| lawful | Authorized by law; legal | Only lawful passengers may board the vessel. | formal | Legal/official tone; contrasts with “lawless.” |
| lawless | Not governed by law; chaotic | The frontier town was portrayed as lawless. | neutral | Strong negative sense; used in history, fiction, and critique. |
| lax | Not strict; negligent | The teacher criticized the lax safety measures. | informal | Short, common adjective for slack standards or discipline. |
| lazy | Unwilling to work or exert effort | He felt too lazy to go jogging today. | neutral | Everyday word describing reluctance to work or move. |
| leading | Most important or influential | She is a leading expert in climate science. | neutral | Common in contexts of position, influence, and ranking. |
| leafy | Having many leaves; shaded by leaves | They walked through a leafy suburban neighborhood. | neutral | Often used for neighborhoods, trees, or plants. |
| lean | Thin, with little fat; efficient | The startup runs a lean operation to save costs. | neutral | Versatile: body shape, business, or design; collocates with “toward” for physical lean. |
| learned | Having profound knowledge; scholarly | The learned professor explained the theory calmly. | formal | Classic adjective meaning scholarly; pronounced with two syllables. |
| legal | Permitted by law; relating to law | She sought legal advice before signing. | neutral | Extremely common; used in many professional and everyday contexts. |
| legendary | Remarkably famous or celebrated | The coach became a legendary figure in sports. | neutral | Can be literal fame or hyperbolic praise. |
| legible | Clear enough to read | Her handwriting was surprisingly legible. | neutral | Common in practical contexts about text or markings. |
| legitimate | Conforming to rules or lawful; valid | They had a legitimate reason for the delay. | neutral | Used in legal, moral, and practical contexts; formal tone. |
| lenient | Tolerant; permissive in punishment | The judge was unusually lenient with the offender. | neutral | Common in disciplinary contexts; opposite of strict. |
| lethal | Capable of causing death | The toxin is lethal in small amounts. | technical | Frequent in medical, military, or dramatic contexts. |
| leathery | Having tough, flexible texture like leather | The fruit’s peel felt thick and leathery. | neutral | Descriptive tactile adjective for textures or skin. |
| leaving? (exclude) | ||||
| left? (adj) | ||||
| legalistic | Overly concerned with legal details | His legalistic approach frustrated colleagues. | formal | Critical tone; used to describe narrow, rule-focused thinking. |
| leisurely | Unhurried, relaxed | They enjoyed a leisurely Sunday brunch. | neutral | Positive connotation of relaxation; common lifestyle term. |
| leisure? (exclude) | ||||
| lenitive? (rare) | ||||
| lengthy | Long in duration or length | The meeting became unnecessarily lengthy. | neutral | Common for speeches, documents, or processes; slightly negative if excessive. |
| lenient? (duplicate) | ||||
| leonine | Resembling a lion; majestic | He had a leonine mane of white hair. | literary | Literary adjective for lion-like appearance or dignity. |
| leprous | Affected by leprosy; pale or unhealthy | The actor portrayed a leprous beggar in the play. | formal | Medical or historical contexts; now less common due to stigma. |
| lethal? (duplicate) | ||||
| lethargic | Sluggish, lacking energy | After the flight, she felt lethargic all day. | neutral | Common for moods and health; stronger than “tired.” |
| leveled? (exclude) | ||||
| level | Flat, even, or equal in rank | Keep the picture frame level on the wall. | neutral | Widely used for physical, abstract, and metaphorical balance. |
| lewd | Crude or obscene in a sexual way | The joke was loud and lewd at the dinner. | informal | Strongly negative sexual connotation; used in moral critique. |
| lexical | Relating to words or vocabulary | They discussed lexical choices in translation. | technical | Common in linguistics and language study. |
| liable | Legally responsible or likely to happen | He was held liable for the damages. | formal | Legal and probabilistic uses; versatile in formal writing. |
| liberal | Generous or favoring progress and reform | She holds liberal views on education policy. | political | Ambiguous: can mean generous or politically progressive. |
| libidinous | Driven by sexual desire | The character’s libidinous behavior worried his friends. | formal | Strong, literary, or clinical tone; rarely used in casual speech. |
| licentious | Morally unrestrained; dissolute | The novel criticizes the protagonist’s licentious lifestyle. | formal | Strong moral judgment; literary or formal register. |
| licit | Allowed by law; lawful | Only licit activities were discussed at the hearing. | formal | Opposite of “illicit;” legal contexts. |
| lickable? (exclude) | ||||
| lienable? (rare) | ||||
| light | Not heavy; pale; not intense | Use a light hand when frosting the cake. | neutral | Extremely versatile: weight, color, mood, and intensity senses. |
| lighthearted | Cheerful and carefree | They enjoyed a lighthearted conversation on the trip. | neutral | Positive tone; common for informal, pleasant moods. |
| lightweight | Having little weight; superficial | The critic dismissed the book as lightweight. | informal | Used literally and figuratively to dismiss substance or seriousness. |
| likable | Pleasant and easy to like | He’s a likable person who makes friends easily. | neutral | Common in social descriptions and reviews. |
| likely | Probable; expected to happen | It’s likely to rain this afternoon. | neutral | High-frequency modal adjective for probability. |
| lilac | Pale purple color or relating to the plant | She painted the nursery a soft lilac shade. | neutral | Color adjective, also botanical; common in descriptions. |
| limber | Flexible, able to bend easily | The gymnast remained limber throughout practice. | neutral | Physical flexibility; used for bodies or creative minds. |
| limpid | Transparently clear; simple and serene | The limpid lake reflected the mountains perfectly. | literary | Often used metaphorically for clear prose or eyes. |
| limp | Lacking firmness or stiffness; weak | He walked with a limp and tired step. | neutral | Physical adjective; also used figuratively for weak arguments. |
| limpidity? (exclude) | ||||
| linear | Arranged in or extending along a line | The design follows a linear progression of shapes. | technical | Common in math, art, and argument structures. |
| literate | Able to read and write; learned | She is literate in three languages. | neutral | Also used figuratively (digitally literate); common in education. |
| literary | Concerning literature or writing style | He admired her literary achievements greatly. | neutral | Used for writing, criticism, and culture. |
| literal | Taking words in their usual sense; factual | Don’t take that comment in a literal sense. | neutral | Important distinction for interpretation; frequently used. |
| litigious | Prone to engage in lawsuits | The company faced a litigious former employee. | formal | Legal/business contexts; negative connotation about combative behavior. |
| lithe | Graceful, supple, and flexible | The dancer’s lithe movements charmed the audience. | literary | Positive aesthetic descriptor for bodies and motion. |
| little | Small in size or extent; young | A little dog slept at her feet. | neutral | Extremely common with many idiomatic uses. |
| live | Alive; broadcast in real time | The band gave a live performance on stage. | neutral | Versatile: biological state or media context. |
| lively | Full of life and energy | The market was lively on Saturday morning. | neutral | Positive tone; used for scenes, personalities, and music. |
| livid | Furiously angry or very dark bluish | She was livid when she heard the news. | neutral | Two main senses: anger or discoloration; context clarifies. |
| loath | Unwilling or reluctant | He was loath to accept the job offer. | formal | Often followed by “to”; somewhat literary or formal. |
| loathsome | Causing hatred or disgust | The loathsome practice was abolished by law. | formal | Strong negative moral or emotional judgment; common in rhetoric. |
| lobbying? (exclude) | ||||
| local | Related to a particular place or community | I prefer to shop at local businesses. | neutral | Everyday adjective for geography, markets, and politics. |
| localized | Confined to a specific area | The disease remained localized to one organ. | technical | Medical and technical contexts; single-word adjective recognized in dictionaries. |
| lone | Single, solitary, or isolated | A lone figure walked down the beach at dusk. | neutral | Poetic or emphatic alternative to “single” or “alone.” |
| lonely | Sad because of being alone | He felt lonely after she moved away. | neutral | Emotional state; common in personal descriptions. |
| long | Extending a great distance or time | They enjoyed a long summer vacation. | neutral | Very common for spatial and temporal measurements. |
| longstanding | Existing for a long time | They reached a longstanding agreement after months. | formal | Used for enduring issues, relationships, or traditions. |
| loopy | Mentally odd or eccentric; silly | He looked a bit loopy after the roller coaster. | informal | Colloquial and playful; can be mildly derogatory or affectionate. |
| loose | Not tightly fixed or confined | The screws were loose on the chair. | neutral | Physical and figurative uses; common everyday adjective. |
| lopsided | Uneven or disproportionately weighted | The sculpture seemed lopsided from the back. | neutral | Used for shapes, contests, or outcomes. |
| loud | Producing a lot of sound; conspicuous | The music was loud at the party. | neutral | Also figurative for colors or style; very common word. |
| loutish | Rude, clumsy, or aggressive in behavior | The loutish fans disrupted the match. | formal | Pejorative; used for coarse or uncultured behavior. |
| luminous | Emitting light; bright | The garden felt luminous under the moon. | neutral | Often poetic; used for literal and metaphorical brightness. |
| lumpy | Having lumps; uneven in texture | The sauce turned out lumpy, not smooth. | neutral | Textural description for food, materials, or terrain. |
| lurid | Very vivid in color; shocking | The tabloids printed lurid details of the scandal. | neutral | Often negative; implies sensational or gruesome quality. |
| lush | Luxuriant, abundant, or appealingly rich | The valley was lush with greenery after spring. | neutral | Positive for vegetation, music, or textures; can imply extravagance. |
| lustrous | Having a soft sheen or glow | Her hair looked lustrous under the lights. | neutral | Common in cosmetics, jewelry, and descriptive writing. |
| lusty | Strong, healthy, or vigorous | He gave a lusty cheer as the team scored. | literary | Energetic and robust; often positive and vivid. |
| luscious | Highly pleasing to taste or smell | The cake was rich and luscious. | neutral | Sensory adjective used in food and descriptive prose. |
| luxurious | Extremely comfortable or expensive | They stayed in a luxurious seaside villa. | neutral | Common in travel and lifestyle writing; implies indulgence. |
| luxuriant | Growing abundantly or richly | The garden was luxuriant after weeks of rain. | formal | Botanical and descriptive; emphasizes abundance. |
| lyrical | Expressive, poetic, or emotional | His speech became lyrical when he spoke of hope. | neutral | Often used for music, poetry, or passionate descriptions. |
Descriptions
laconic
lackadaisical
lackluster
lacy
ladylike
lamentable
languid
lanky
lapidary
lapse? (exclude)
large
lascivious
lasting
late
latent
lateral
lathered? (exclude)
laudable
lavender
lavish
lawful
lawless
lax
lazy
leading
leafy
lean
learned
legal
legendary
legible
legitimate
lenient
lethal
leathery
leaving? (exclude)
left? (adj)
legalistic
leisurely
leisure? (exclude)
lenitive? (rare)
lengthy
lenient? (duplicate)
leonine
leprous
lethal? (duplicate)
lethargic
leveled? (exclude)
level
lewd
lexical
liable
liberal
libidinous
licentious
licit
lickable? (exclude)
lienable? (rare)
light
lighthearted
lightweight
likable
likely
lilac
limber
limpid
limp
limpidity? (exclude)
linear
literate
literary
literal
litigious
lithe
little
live
lively
livid
loath
loathsome
lobbying? (exclude)
local
localized
lone
lonely
long
longstanding
loopy
loose
lopsided
loud
loutish
luminous
lumpy
lurid
lush
lustrous
lusty
luscious
luxurious
luxuriant
lyrical