leg
LEHG
Leg (noun) means one of the limbs used for standing and walking. Example: “She broke her leg skiing last winter.”
noun
1
One of the limbs used for standing and walking.
"She broke her leg skiing last winter."
"The dog wagged its tail and lifted a leg to scratch."
2
A supporting rod-like part of a piece of furniture.
"One of the table legs was wobbly, so he tightened the screw."
3
A single stage or segment of a journey, race, or competition.
"The final leg of their trip was a long flight home."
"He won the first leg of the tournament easily."
How to use leg
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA limb for walking, or by extension any long supporting part, or one stage of a longer journey or contest.
Common pairings
break a leg
table leg
final leg of the race
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Word forms
- Plural
- legs
- Third person singular
- legs
- Past tense
- legged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She broke her _____ skiing last winter.
Etymology
From Old Norse leggr, "leg, bone, tube" — the word came into English with Viking settlers and gradually replaced the native Old English term.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “leg” mean?
The word “leg” means one of the limbs used for standing and walking. In plain terms, a limb for walking, or by extension any long supporting part, or one stage of a longer journey or contest.
How do you pronounce “leg”?
“Leg” is pronounced LEHG (/ˈlɛɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “leg” in a sentence?
Here is “leg” used in a sentence: “She broke her leg skiing last winter.”
What is another word for “leg”?
Words with a similar meaning to “leg” include drumstick and gam.
What part of speech is “leg”?
“Leg” is a noun.
Where does the word “leg” come from?
The word “leg” comes from Old English. From Old Norse leggr, "leg, bone, tube" — the word came into English with Viking settlers and gradually replaced the native Old English term.
Is “leg” a common word?
“Leg” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “leg” have?
“Leg” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the limbs used for standing and walking.
What is the difference between a leg and a limb?
Limb is the general word for any of the body's main projecting parts, meaning the arms and the legs. A leg is specifically a lower limb, used for standing and walking. So every leg is a limb, but not every limb is a leg, since arms are limbs too.
What are the main parts of the leg?
The human leg runs from the hip to the foot. Its major sections are the thigh, or upper leg; the knee joint; and the shin and calf, which make up the lower leg, ending at the ankle and foot. The main bones are the femur, tibia, and fibula.
What are other meanings of 'leg'?
Beyond the body part, leg has many uses. It can mean a support of a table or chair, one stage of a journey or race such as the final leg, one match in a two-part sports tie, or the part of a trouser that covers the leg.
What is an example of 'leg' used figuratively?
"He hasn't got a leg to stand on" means someone has no valid support for their argument. "On its last legs" means worn out or nearly finished, "stretch your legs" means take a short walk, and "the final leg" of a trip means its last stage.
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