249 Verbs That Start with L | Best List with Definitions and Examples

verbs-that-start-with-l

In this article we are going to discuss verbs that start with L. But before we go into the details of verbs that start with L let us talk about the letter L. L, or l, is the twelfth letter of the modern English alphabet and the ISO basic Latin alphabet. In recent years, the letters L and W have become an internet meme, respectively standing for loss and win.

If you look at verbs that begin with L, you will find out that most of these verbs are positive in nature e.g. live, look, like, love, learn, laugh etc. Like and love are two of the most commonly used verbs across the whole world. If you know more such verbs that start with L that carry a positive connotation, add them to the below given categories, it will help you lengthen your vocabulary list.

Without making you wait any further, let’s dive into the list of action words starting with L given below to find out how these verbs define different actions. Try and use these verbs into your phrases and sentences. It will help you learn them better.

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Verbs That Start with L You Always Use

It is a well-known fact that if you want to excel in your talks and writings, you must be able to use a wide range of verbs. Following is a list of verbs that start with L that people always make use of in our daily lives.

1. Live

  • Definition: remain alive
  • Synonyms: reside, stay
  • Example: Man does not live by bread alone.

2. Learn

  • Definition: gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in something
  • Synonyms: acquire, grasp
  • Example: It is never too old to learn.

3. Look

  • Definition: to direct your eyes in order to see
  • Synonyms: gaze, stare
  • Example: Look at all these toys on the floor.

4. List

  • Definition: to make a list, or to include something in a list
  • Synonyms: record, register
  • Example: Please list your educational qualifications and work experience.

5. Leave

  • Definition: to go away from someone or something, for a short time or permanently
  • Synonyms: pull out of, go away, quit
  • Example: I’ll be leaving at five o’clock tomorrow.

6. Love

  • Definition: to have a strong affection for someone
  • Synonyms: adore, cherish
  • Example: She really loves that boy.

7. Like

  • Definition: to enjoy or approve of something or someone
  • Synonyms: fancy, admire
  • Example: Jane sincerely likes that cool boy.

8. Laugh

  • Definition: to smile while making sounds with your voice that show you think something is funny or you are happy
  • Synonyms: cackle, chortle
  • Example: His humorous remark made everyone laugh.

9. Lie

  • Definition: be, remain, or be kept in a specified state
  • Synonyms: rest, sprawl
  • Example: Honor and profit lie not in one sack.

10. Light

  • Definition: to start to burn or to make something start to burn
  • Synonyms: torch, fire
  • Example: Please light some candles.

Verbs That Start with L You Usually Use

Following is a list of verbs starting with L that we usually make use of in our daily lives. You will also be able to achieve excellence in your speech and writing, if you learn the art of using these verbs.

1. Loan

  • Definition: to lend
  • Synonyms: lend, advance
  • Example: This library loans books and CDs.

2. Lack

  • Definition: to not have or not have enough of something that is needed or wanted
  • Synonyms: miss, require
  • Example: What we lack in this house is space to store things.

3. Load

  • Definition: fill (a vehicle, ship, container, etc.) with a large amount of something
  • Synonyms: pack, stuff
  • Example: They go to Calais to load up their vans with cheap beer.

4. Lend

  • Definition: grant to (someone) the use of (something) on the understanding that it will be returned.
  • Synonyms: loan, grant
  • Example: Can you lend me your car this evening?

5. Launch

  • Definition: to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product
  • Synonyms: start, begin
  • Example: They managed to launch a new business.

6. Leak

  • Definition: intentionally disclose (something private or secret).
  • Synonyms: disclose, divulge
  • Example: A report was leaked to the press.

7. Lure

  • Definition: to persuade someone to do something or go somewhere by offering them something exciting
  • Synonyms: tempt, entice
  • Example: The Company aims to lure smokers back to cigarettes.

8. Lift

  • Definition: to move something from a lower to a higher position
  • Synonyms: raise, hoist
  • Example: He’s strong enough to lift a car!

9. Label

  • Definition: to fasten a label to
  • Synonyms: mark, tag, ticket
  • Example: Label your suitcases to prevent confusion.

10. Leap

  • Definition: to make a large jump or sudden movement, usually from one place to another
  • Synonyms: jump, vault over
  • Example: Look before you leap.

Verbs That Start with L You Often Use

Verbs are an essential part of speech because a sentence cannot exist without them. Following are some of the verbs beginning with L that we often use in our day-to-day lives.

1. Limp

  • Definition: to walk slowly and with difficulty because of having an injured or painful leg or foot
  • Synonyms: halt, hobble
  • Example: The accident had left him with a slight limp.

2. Loosen

  • Definition: make (something tied, fastened, or fixed in place) less tight or firm
  • Synonyms: unstick, unfasten
  • Example: Loosen your collar and tie.

3. Loom

  • Definition: to appear as a large, often frightening or unclear shape or object
  • Synonyms: emerge, hover
  • Example: Dark storm clouds loomed on the horizon.

4. Lower

  • Definition: to move something into a low position
  • Synonyms: decrease, diminish
  • Example: They lowered the coffin into the grave.

5. Lunch

  • Definition: to eat lunch
  • Synonyms: brunch
  • Example: I’m lunching with Giles.

6. Loll

  • Definition: sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way
  • Synonyms: lounge, sprawl
  • Example: The two girls lolled in their chairs.

7. Link

  • Definition: to make a connection between two things
  • Synonyms: associate, relate
  • Example: The new bridge will link the island to the mainland.

8. Lecture

  • Definition: to give a formal talk to a group of people, often at a college or university
  • Synonyms: teach, speak
  • Example: He is lecturing about Italian art.

9. Long

  • Definition: to want something very much
  • Synonyms: want, desire, yearn
  • Example: Better deny at once than promise long.

10. Lag

  • Definition: to move or make progress so slowly that you are behind other people or things
  • Synonyms: dawdle, straggle, linger
  • Example: Grandma always lag behind when we go for a walk.

Verbs That Start with L You Sometimes Use

There are a number of verbs in English language that are not used that often. Following are some of those verbs starting with letter L that are only used sometimes.

1. Lace

  • Definition: to add alcohol or drugs to food or drink, often secretly
  • Synonyms: mix, amalgamate
  • Example: His coffee was laced with brandy.

2. Lick

  • Definition: to move the tongue across the surface of something
  • Synonyms: wet, moisten
  • Example: The dog slunk off to lick its wounds.

3. Latch

  • Definition: to close something with a latch
  • Synonyms: fasten, secure
  • Example: Latch the door before you go to bed.

4. Leash

  • Definition: put a leash on (a dog)
  • Synonyms: tether, tie up, secure
  • Example: He called Azor to heel so that he could leash him.

5. Log

  • Definition: to cut down trees so that you can use their wood
  • Synonyms: cut down, trim
  • Example: The forest has been so heavily logged that it is in danger of disappearing.

6. Localize

  • Definition: to limit something to a particular area
  • Synonyms: limit, restrict
  • Example: Gravity has localized the swelling to the foot and ankle.

7. Lease

  • Definition: to use or allow someone else to use land, property, etc. for an agreed period of time in exchange for money
  • Synonyms: hire out, sublet
  • Example: I leased my new car instead of buying it.

8. Levy

  • Definition: (of a government or organization) to demand an amount of money, such as a tax
  • Synonyms: charge, exact
  • Example: They levied the alcohol too.

9. Lengthen

  • Definition: to make something longer, or to become longer
  • Synonyms: expand, widen
  • Example: I’ll have to lengthen this skirt.

10. Legitimize

  • Definition: to make something legal or acceptable
  • Synonyms: validate, permit
  • Example: There is a danger that these films legitimize violence.

Verbs That Start with L You Occasionally Use

You must have noticed this thing that some verbs are uttered on specific occasions only. Following are some verb words that start with L that we occasionally make use of.

1. Lime

  • Definition: treat (soil or water) with lime to reduce acidity and improve fertility or oxygen levels
  • Synonyms: add, treat
  • Example: They were liming acidified lakes.

2. Lisp

  • Definition: speak with a lisp
  • Synonyms: sputter, stutter
  • Example: We should help those students who lisp.

3. Lade

  • Definition: ship (goods) as cargo
  • Synonyms: load, carry
  • Example: The surplus products must be laden on board the vessels.

4. Languish

  • Definition: be forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation
  • Synonyms: rot, decay
  • Example: He has been languishing in jail since 1974.

5. Lampoon

  • Definition: to criticize a famous person or a public organization in a piece of writing
  • Synonyms: satirize, mock
  • Example: His cartoon mercilessly lampoon the leading politician of the day.

6. Lather

  • Definition: form or cause to form a lather
  • Synonyms: scrub, sponge
  • Example: Soap will not lather in hard water.

7. Lessen

  • Definition: to shrink in size, number, or degree
  • Synonyms: reduce, minimize
  • Example: A healthy diet can lessen the risk of heart disease.

8. Lope

  • Definition: walk or run with a long bounding stride
  • Synonyms: stride, run, bound
  • Example: The dog was loping along by his side.

9. Lacerate

  • Definition: to cut or tear something, especially flesh
  • Synonyms: cut, slash
  • Example: His leg was lacerated by the tiger’s claws.

10. Latinize

  • Definition: give a Latin or Latinate form to (a word)
  • Synonyms: transform, translate
  • Example: His name was Latinized into Confucius.

Verbs That Start with L You Seldom Use

Following are some of the action verbs starting with L that are seldom used by us. Learning and then using these verbs properly will help you in both written and oral communications.

1. Lavish

  • Definition: bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on
  • Synonyms: heap, shower
  • Example: The media couldn’t lavish enough praise on the film.

2. Lord

  • Definition: to behave as if you are better than someone and have the right to tell them what to do
  • Synonyms: domineer, dominate
  • Example: He likes to lord it over his little sister.

3. Lynch

  • Definition: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal approval or permission
  • Synonyms: hang, execute, kill
  • Example: They were about to lynch him when reinforcements from the army burst into the room and rescued him.

4. Lance

  • Definition: prick or cut open (an abscess or boil) with a lancet or other sharp instrument
  • Synonyms: peck, pierce
  • Example: Abscesses should not be lanced until there is a soft spot in the centre.

5. Leaven

  • Definition: cause (dough or bread) to rise by adding yeast or another raising agent
  • Synonyms: ferment
  • Example: It only take a little bit of yeast to leaven the bread.

6. Luff

  • Definition: steer a yacht nearer the wind
  • Synonyms: steer, navigate
  • Example: All you need to do is luff up, head to wind.

7. Lacquer

  • Definition: to paint wood or metal with lacquer
  • Synonyms: varnish, cover
  • Example: He has planned to lacquer the old table.

8. Linger

  • Definition: to take a long time to leave or disappear
  • Synonyms: crawl, creep, loiter
  • Example: Mike let his eyes linger on her face.

9. Laminate

  • Definition: overlay (a flat surface, especially paper) with a layer of plastic or some other protective materials
  • Synonyms: cover, overlay
  • Example: We will laminate your photos in clear plastic.

10. Lig

  • Definition: take advantage of free parties, travel, or other benefits offered by companies for publicity purposes
  • Synonyms: benefit
  • Example: The band spent all their time fighting and ligging.

Positive Verbs That Start with L

Just like any other letter, there also exist a number of positive verbs that start with L. You will be filled with positive vibes once you finish this category.

1. Lead

  • Definition: to control a group of people, a country, or a situation
  • Synonyms: show, guide
  • Example: I’ve asked Gemma to lead the discussion.

2. Lubricate

  • Definition: make a machine run smoothly
  • Synonyms: oil, grease
  • Example: Mineral oils are used to lubricate machinery.

3. Liberalize

  • Definition: to make laws, systems, or opinions less severe
  • Synonyms: modify, change
  • Example: They have plans to liberalize the prison system.

4. Leapfrog

  • Definition: to leap or progress in or as if in leapfrog
  • Synonyms: plunge, rise
  • Example: The intention was to allow London to leapfrog its rivals into a leading position.

5. Lard

  • Definition: to dress (meat) for cooking by inserting or covering with something (such as strips of fat)
  • Synonyms: grease, oil
  • Example: Lard the boned chicken with pig fat.

6. Lamb

  • Definition: (of a ewe) give birth to lambs
  • Synonyms: produce, bud
  • Example: Shetland sheep lamb very easily.

7. Lustrate

  • Definition: purify by expiatory sacrifice, ceremonial washing, or some other ritual action
  • Synonyms: baptize
  • Example: A soul lustrated in the baptismal waters.

8. Lighten

  • Definition: to become less dark
  • Synonyms: relieve, alleviate
  • Example: The sky began to lighten.

9. Lullaby

  • Definition: sing to someone to get them to go to sleep
  • Synonyms: sing
  • Example: She lullabied her kids.

10. Lionize

  • Definition: to make someone famous, or to treat someone as if they were famous
  • Synonyms: celebrate, fete, glorify
  • Example: The press began to lionize him enthusiastically.

Verbs That Start with L to Describe a Person

Following are some of the verbs that start with L to describe a person. Go through these L verbs and find out what they tell us about other people.

1. Lull

  • Definition: to cause someone to feel calm or to feel that they want to sleep
  • Synonyms: soothe, hush
  • Example: The motion of the car almost lulled her to sleep.

2. Leg

  • Definition: to run away in order to escape from something
  • Synonyms: march, trek
  • Example: They legged it round the corner when they saw the police coming.

3. Liken

  • Definition: to say that someone is similar to or has the same qualities as someone else
  • Synonyms: compare, relate
  • Example: She’s been likened to a young Elizabeth Taylor.

4. Labor

  • Definition: to do hard physical work
  • Synonyms: toil, work
  • Example: They labor very hard.

5. Loathe

  • Definition: to hate someone or something
  • Synonyms: abhor, detest
  • Example: I loathe doing housework.

6. Liberate

  • Definition: to help someone or something to be free
  • Synonyms: free, release
  • Example: They did their best to liberate slaves.

7. Lambast

  • Definition: to criticize someone or something severely
  • Synonyms: criticize, chastise
  • Example: Grey took every opportunity to lambast Thompson and his organization.

8. Levitate

  • Definition: to (cause to) rise and float in the air without any physical support
  • Synonyms: float, rise
  • Example: I often dream that I can levitate.

9. Luxuriate

  • Definition: enjoy (something) as a luxury; take self-indulgent delight in
  • Synonyms: revel, bask
  • Example: She is longing for her beloved.

10. Lounge

  • Definition: lie, sit, or stand in a relaxed or lazy way
  • Synonyms: relax, rest
  • Example: Don’t lounge away your working hours.

Verbs That Start with L – Full List (249 Words)

The list of verbs that start with L given below contains all of the verbs that we have discussed above and some more that may be useful to you. The reason for listing these verbs here is to help you revise them in an easy manner.

  • Loan
  • Lout
  • Lounge
  • Lump
  • Lithe
  • Lare
  • Lollop
  • Levy
  • Lige
  • Labialize
  • Lasso
  • Lather
  • Localize
  • Legitimize
  • Lisp
  • Luff
  • Lipread
  • Lin
  • Lure
  • Lumine
  • Liquor
  • Lap
  • Length
  • Lionize
  • Larn
  • Lave
  • Lachrymate
  • Lower
  • Lobby
  • Larrup
  • Lantern
  • Lignify
  • License
  • Liquate
  • Leapfrog
  • Luminesce
  • Luxate
  • Lynch
  • Levee
  • Langure
  • Lube
  • Lamb
  • Leverage
  • Lenify
  • Launder
  • Lack
  • Lunge
  • Lyophilize
  • Librate
  • Laud
  • Loop
  • Loot
  • Liken
  • Lust
  • Lambast
  • Leer
  • Loom
  • Lubricate
  • Leese
  • Latinize
  • Lumber
  • Loll
  • Lacquer
  • Lament
  • Leaven
  • Lariat
  • Luge
  • Lucubrate
  • Lacerate
  • Liquify
  • Liaise
  • Lactate
  • List
  • Lever
  • Liberate
  • Latibulize
  • Lawe
  • Leech
  • Latrate
  • Learn
  • Lapidate
  • Lift
  • Lance
  • Lib
  • Lean
  • Leach
  • Line
  • Look
  • Lollygag
  • Lithotype
  • Lustrate
  • Luncheon
  • Laugh
  • Ladify
  • Lob
  • Lord
  • Luxuriate
  • Lam
  • Lurk
  • Lay
  • Lattice
  • Legislate
  • Leave
  • Legitimate
  • Lavish
  • Lecher
  • Lappet
  • Level
  • Lear
  • Leash
  • Lengthen
  • Lithograph
  • Laveer
  • Lambaste
  • Lop
  • Limit
  • Leaguer
  • Lixiviate
  • Lark
  • Loricate
  • Limber
  • Levitate
  • Louse
  • Lesson
  • Lowball
  • Latch
  • Lill
  • Lug
  • Low
  • Loo
  • Leak
  • Loosen
  • Lifen
  • Like
  • Laicize
  • Leap
  • Laniate
  • Loathe
  • Link
  • Lull
  • Love
  • Lank
  • Lapse
  • Lampoon
  • Louden
  • Ladder
  • Linearize
  • Last
  • Lip
  • Lose
  • Legitimatize
  • Liquidate
  • Limp
  • Loose
  • Label
  • Liss
  • Languish
  • Loam
  • Locomote
  • Lace
  • Labour
  • Lullaby
  • Landscape
  • League
  • Lock
  • Labiate
  • Limbec
  • Language
  • Labor
  • Ligate
  • Laden
  • Leg
  • Luster
  • Loaf
  • Loiter
  • Londonize
  • Letheonize
  • Liquefy
  • Liberalize
  • Limn
  • Lash
  • Litter
  • Lateralize
  • Lunch
  • Lour
  • Lot
  • Labefy
  • Lilt
  • Lead
  • Land
  • Launch
  • Lux
  • Liquidize
  • Live
  • Locate
  • Log
  • Lege
  • Lese
  • Lethargize
  • Load
  • Lard
  • Laminate
  • Levant
  • Ladle
  • Lanch
  • Lame
  • Leather
  • Light
  • Legalize
  • Lade
  • Linger
  • Lech
  • Lurch
  • Let
  • Legend
  • Lexicalize
  • Lighten
  • Lease
  • Lend
  • Laureate
  • Libel
  • Laconize
  • Lick
  • Luminate
  • Lute
  • Lag
  • Lapidify
  • Ligature
  • Levigate
  • Lusk
  • Leaf
  • Lake
  • Lig
  • Limb
  • Literalize
  • Lodge
  • Lope
  • Lessen
  • Lipstick
  • Lath
  • Lopper
  • Long
  • Lustre
  • Lime
  • Lie
  • Lecture
  • Laze
  • Litigate
  • Loft

Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with L

Thank you for reading this list of verbs that start with L. Hopefully you would have got the concept of verbs and their usage in daily life conversations by now.

There are a number of verbs starting with L that aren’t on this list. Try and look them up in the dictionary. After that add them to the categories given above. It will help you systemize your learning experience.

As we have discussed at the start of the article that most of the verbs that start with L carry positive connotation and have the power of captivating others. You need to use such positive verbs that begin with L more in your conversations if you want to spread positivity around.