lake
layk
Lake (noun) means a large body of water surrounded by land. Example: “We swam across the lake and then dried off on the grassy shore.”
noun
1
A large body of water surrounded by land.
"We swam across the lake and then dried off on the grassy shore."
"They rented a cabin beside a quiet mountain lake."
"The lake froze solid enough to skate on by January."
2
A large quantity of a liquid, used loosely or figuratively.
"After the pipe burst, a lake of water spread across the cellar."
"He poured a lake of syrup over his pancakes."
"There was a lake of spilled coffee on the kitchen floor."
How to use lake
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large area of water enclosed by land, or (informally) a big pool of any liquid.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
lake shore
lake district
a lake of blood/spilled paint
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Word forms
- Plural
- lakes
- Third person singular
- lakes
- Past tense
- laked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We swam across the _____ and then dried off on the grassy shore.
Etymology
From Old English lacu ("stream, pool"), blended over time with the unrelated Old French lac (from Latin lacus, "lake, basin") — two separate old words that merged into one modern spelling.
Related words
Rhymes for lake
See all rhymes for lake →Frequently asked questions
What does “lake” mean?
The word “lake” means a large body of water surrounded by land. In plain terms, a large area of water enclosed by land, or (informally) a big pool of any liquid.
How do you pronounce “lake”?
“Lake” is pronounced layk (/leɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “lake” in a sentence?
Here is “lake” used in a sentence: “They rented a cabin beside a quiet mountain lake.”
What is another word for “lake”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lake” include loch.
What part of speech is “lake”?
“Lake” is a noun.
Where does the word “lake” come from?
The word “lake” comes from Latin. From Old English lacu ("stream, pool"), blended over time with the unrelated Old French lac (from Latin lacus, "lake, basin") — two separate old words that merged into one modern spelling.
Is “lake” a common word?
“Lake” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “lake” have?
“Lake” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large body of water surrounded by land.
What is the difference between a lake and a pond?
Both are bodies of water surrounded by land, and the line between them is not strict. Generally a lake is larger and deeper, often with areas too deep for sunlight to reach the bottom, so plants cannot grow there. A pond is smaller, shallower, and usually lit throughout.
What is the difference between a lake and a sea?
A sea is much larger, usually salty, and connected to the ocean. A lake is generally smaller, most often freshwater, and fully enclosed by land. There are exceptions — some very large salt lakes are called seas, such as the Caspian Sea, which is technically the world's biggest lake.
Are all lakes freshwater?
Most are, but not all. While the majority of lakes hold fresh water, some are salt lakes, often because they have no outlet and water leaves only by evaporation, concentrating the minerals. Well-known examples include the Great Salt Lake and the Dead Sea, both far saltier than the ocean.
How are lakes formed?
Lakes form wherever water collects in a hollow in the land. Many were carved by glaciers during past ice ages, then filled with meltwater. Others sit in valleys created by shifting tectonic plates, in volcanic craters, or behind natural dams. People also build artificial lakes, called reservoirs, for water supply.
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