English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

Langton

name

An English surname and place name meaning "long settlement."

language

noun

A system of words and grammar used by a community to communicate.

languish

verb

To gradually lose strength, vitality, or spirit, especially over a long period of neglect or hardship.

Lani

noun

A member of an indigenous highland people of Central Papua, Indonesia.

Lanka

name

A short form used to refer to Sri Lanka, an island nation off the southern coast of India.

lanky

adj

Tall and thin, often in an awkward or ungainly way.

Lanny

name

A masculine given name, a diminutive form of Roland or Orlando.

Lansing

name

A city in the U.S. state of Michigan, serving as the state capital.

lantern

noun

A portable case with a light inside, made of glass or another see-through material to protect the flame or bulb.

lanyard

noun

A cord worn around the neck or wrist to hold a small item such as an ID badge, key, or whistle.

Lao

noun

A member of the Tai ethnic group native to Laos and parts of Thailand.

Laos

noun

A landlocked country in Southeast Asia, whose capital is Vientiane.

lap

noun

The flat area formed by the thighs of a seated person.

LAPD

noun

A telecommunications signalling protocol (Link Access Procedures, D channel) used on the control channel of an ISDN connection.

lapel

noun

One of the two folded-back flaps of cloth on the front of a jacket or coat, running down from the collar.

Lapland

proper noun

A region spanning the far north of Scandinavia and Finland, plus part of Russia's Kola Peninsula, traditionally home to the Sami people and closely associated with reindeer and Arctic winters.

Lapointe

name

A French surname meaning "the point," often referring to a geographic landmark.

lapped

adjective

In a race, having fallen so far behind the leader that they have completed one fewer full circuit of the track or course.

lapping

noun

The soft, repeated sound of water gently striking a surface, such as waves against a shore or boat.

lapse

noun

A brief slip or failure, especially a temporary lowering of standards or attention.

lapsed

adj

No longer active or valid; having expired through neglect or non-renewal.

laptop

noun

A portable personal computer, small and light enough to use on your lap.

lar

noun

A title used in ancient Etruscan society, properly reserved for an eldest son, though sometimes mistaken by later readers for part of a personal name.

Lara

name

A feminine given name, possibly derived from Latin or a Slavic short form of Larissa.

Larabee

name

An English surname, a variant spelling of Larrabee.

Laramie

name

A city in the U.S. state of Wyoming, named after French-Canadian trapper Jacques La Ramie.

larceny

noun

The crime of unlawfully taking someone else's property with the intent to keep it permanently.

lard

noun

Soft white fat from a pig, rendered down and used in cooking or baking.

larder

noun

A cool room or cupboard in a house used for storing food.

Laredo

name

A city in Texas on the border with Mexico, named after Laredo, Spain.

large

adj

Big in size, amount, or extent.

largely

adv

Mostly or mainly.

largo

noun

A very slow musical tempo, or a piece played at that tempo.

Larissa

name

A feminine given name of Greek origin, also the name of an ancient Greek city.

lark

noun

A small songbird known for its cheerful singing, often heard early in the morning.

Larkin

name

An Irish surname derived from a nickname meaning "rough" or "fierce."

Laroche

name

A French surname meaning "the rock."

Larrabee

name

An English surname of uncertain origin, found mainly in New England families.

Larry

noun

(informal, chiefly Australian/British) A loud commotion, uproar, or fuss.

Lars

name

A masculine given name common in Scandinavia, a form of Laurence meaning "from Laurentum."

Larsen

name

A Scandinavian surname meaning "son of Lars."

Larson

name

A surname of Scandinavian origin meaning "son of Lars."

Larsson

name

A Swedish surname meaning "son of Lars," notably borne by author Stieg Larsson.

Larue

name

A French surname and given name meaning "the street."

larva

noun

The early, immature form of an insect or amphibian after hatching, before it changes into its adult shape.

laryngitis

noun

Inflammation of the larynx (voice box), usually causing hoarseness or loss of voice.

larynx

noun

The part of the throat containing the vocal cords, involved in producing sound and protecting the airway.

lasagna

noun

Broad, flat sheets of pasta, or the baked Italian dish made by layering them with sauce, cheese, and other fillings.

Lasalle

name

A French surname meaning "the hall" or "the room," also a street name in several American cities.

lascivious

adj

Showing an excessive or improper interest in sex; lewd.

laser

noun

A device that produces a narrow, highly focused beam of light through amplified light emission.

lash

noun

A hair growing from the edge of the eyelid; an eyelash.

lashed

adjective

Informal British slang for very drunk.

lashing

noun

A cord, rope, or strap used to tie or bind something down.

Lasky

name

A surname of Eastern European Jewish origin, an Americanized form of a Polish place name.

lass

noun

(chiefly Scottish and Northern English) A girl or young woman.

Lassen

name

A surname of Danish origin, and the name of a volcanic peak in California, Lassen Peak.

lassie

noun

An affectionate term for a young girl, especially a girlfriend or sweetheart.

Lassiter

name

An American surname, likely an altered form of the English surname Lassater.

lasso

noun

A long rope with a sliding loop, used especially by cowboys to catch cattle and horses.

last

adj

Coming after all others; final.

lasting

adj

Continuing for a long time; enduring.

lastly

adv

Used to introduce the final point in a list.

Laszlo

name

A masculine given name common in Hungary, a form of Ladislaus meaning "glorious rule."

lat

noun

The former monetary unit of Latvia, used until it was replaced by the euro in 2014.

Lata

name

A feminine given name of Sanskrit origin meaning "creeper vine," common in South Asia.

latch

noun

A simple fastening for a door or gate, worked by a bar or lever.

late

adj

Arriving or happening after the expected or usual time.

lately

adv

Recently; in the period up to now.

lateness

noun

The state or fact of being late.

latent

adj

Present but not yet visible, active, or developed.

later

adv

At a subsequent or future time.

lateral

adj

Relating to, or situated at, the side of something.

laters

intj

(slang) An informal way of saying goodbye.

latest

noun

The most recent news, information, or version of something.

latex

noun

The milky fluid produced by certain plants, especially rubber trees, that hardens on contact with air and is used to make rubber.

Latham

name

An English surname and place name derived from Old Norse, meaning "at the barns."

lathe

noun

A machine that shapes a piece of wood, metal, or other material by spinning it against a cutting tool.

lather

noun

The foam created by mixing soap or shampoo with water.

Lathrop

name

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "barn village."

Latif

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "gentle" or "kind."

latimer

noun

(archaic) An interpreter, especially one who translated into or from Latin.

Latin

name

The classical language of ancient Rome, ancestor of French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian.

Latina

noun

A woman of Latin American descent.

Latino

noun

A person, especially a man, of Latin American descent.

latitude

noun

The angular distance of a place north or south of the equator.

Latour

name

A French surname meaning "the tower," also associated with a famous Bordeaux wine estate.

latrine

noun

A simple toilet, especially a pit or trench, used in military camps or other basic facilities.

lats

noun

(informal) Short for the latissimus dorsi muscles of the back.

latte

noun

A coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk, usually topped with a little foam.

latter

adj

Being the second of two things just mentioned.

lattice

noun

A framework of crossed strips of wood or metal, often used as a garden trellis or decorative pattern.

Lattimer

name

An English surname, an occupational name for someone who worked with latten, a type of metal.

Latvia

name

A country on the Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe, officially the Republic of Latvia.

Latvian

adj

Relating to Latvia, its people, or its language.

lau

verb

(dialectal) To lay or set something down onto a surface.

laudanum

noun

A tincture of opium once widely used as a painkiller, sedative, and recreational drug.

Laude

name

A surname of Latin-derived origin, related to the word "laud," meaning praise.

lauder

noun

A person who praises or lauds someone highly.

Lauderdale

name

A Scottish surname and place name, also known through the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

laugh

verb

To make the sound and facial movements that show amusement or delight.

laughable

adj

So absurd or badly done that it deserves mockery rather than serious attention.

laughing

adj

Making the sound or expression of laughter.

Laughlin

name

An Irish surname, an anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "descendant of Lochlainn."

laughter

noun

The sound or act of laughing.

launch

verb

To send something (a rocket, ship, or projectile) into motion, often forcefully.

launcher

noun

A device or piece of equipment used to launch something, such as a rocket or missile.

launching

noun

The act of launching something.

launder

verb

To wash and often iron clothes or fabric.

laundering

noun

The act of washing and ironing clothes, or the illegal act of disguising the origin of money.

laundromat

noun

A self-service shop with coin- or card-operated washing machines and dryers.

laundry

noun

Clothes and linens that need washing, are being washed, or have just been washed.

Laura

name

A female given name derived from Latin, related to the word for "laurel."

laureate

noun

A person honored for outstanding achievement in a field, especially a Nobel Prize winner.

laurel

noun

An evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves, or a wreath made from its branches.

laurels

noun

Honors or recognition earned for achievement.

Lauren

name

A unisex given name derived from Latin, related to Laurence and Lawrence.

Laurence

name

A male given name derived from Latin, the counterpart of the female name Lauren.

Laurens

name

A masculine given name and surname, a Dutch and French form of Laurence.

Laurent

name

A French masculine given name, derived from Laurentius, meaning "from Laurentum" or "laurel-crowned."

Lauri

name

A masculine given name common in Finland, a form of Laurence.

Laurie

name

A given name used for both men and women, a diminutive form of Laurence or Laura.

Lauryn

name

A feminine given name, a modern spelling variant of Lauren.

Lausanne

name

A city in Switzerland on Lake Geneva, known as the seat of the International Olympic Committee.

lava

noun

Molten rock that has erupted from a volcano onto the earth's surface, or the solid rock formed once it cools.

lavage

noun

A medical washing or rinsing, especially of an internal organ or cavity.

lavatory

noun

A room containing a toilet, or the toilet itself.

lavender

noun

A fragrant purple-flowered plant of the mint family, or the pale purple color associated with it.

Laverne

name

A feminine given name of French origin, related to the word for "spring" or "alder tree," and a masculine name in some traditions.

Lavery

name

An Irish surname, an anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "descendant of the mariner."

Lavinia

name

A feminine given name of Latin origin, borne in Roman legend by the wife of Aeneas.

lavish

adj

Given, spent, or produced in great and often extravagant abundance.

law

noun

The system of rules that a country or community uses to govern behavior and enforce order.

lawful

adj

Allowed or recognised by the law.

lawfully

adverb

In a way that follows the law.

lawless

adj

Having no laws or effective government controlling it.

lawlessness

noun

A state where laws are absent or not enforced; disorder.

lawman

noun

A law-enforcement officer, especially in a Western or frontier setting.

lawn

noun

An area of ground, usually next to a house, covered with closely cut grass.

Lawndale

name

A place name used for several towns and neighborhoods in the United States, describing a grassy valley.

lawnmower

noun

A machine used to cut grass to an even height.

Laws

name

An English surname, a variant of Law, often a short form of Lawrence.

Lawson

noun

A reddish-orange dye compound found naturally in henna leaves, used in hair and skin coloring.

lawsuit

noun

A civil case brought before a court to settle a dispute between parties.

Lawton

name

An English surname and place name meaning "hill settlement," also a city in Oklahoma.

lawyer

noun

A person qualified to advise on or represent others in legal matters.

lawyering

noun

The practice or profession of working as a lawyer.

lax

adj

Not strict or careful; loose in standards or discipline.

laxative

noun

A substance, food, or medicine that stimulates bowel movement.

lay

verb

To put something down, especially in a flat or resting position.