noun A2 Elementary Uncommon

liter

LEE-ter

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Liter (noun) means a liter is the American spelling of litre, a metric unit of volume equal to one cubic decimetre. Example: “The recipe calls for one liter of milk.”

noun

A liter is the American spelling of litre, a metric unit of volume equal to one cubic decimetre.

"The recipe calls for one liter of milk."

"She bought a two-liter bottle of soda."

"The tank holds about five liters of water."

How to use liter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA liter is a metric measurement of volume.

When to use it

Liter is the standard spelling in American English; litre is used in British and most other English.

Memory tip

Liter and litre mean exactly the same thing, just spelled differently depending on the country.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

litre → leader → lieder

Common pairings

a liter of water two-liter bottle liters per hour

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “liter” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The recipe calls for one _____ of milk.

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French litron. A colourful story crediting the coinage to an inventor named Claude Émile Jean-Baptiste Litre is a hoax that has sometimes been repeated as if it were true.

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for liter

biter writer waiter loiter Jupiter arbiter orbiter Lassiter typewriter songwriter screenwriter scriptwriter

See all rhymes for liter →

Frequently asked questions

Is liter the same as litre?

Yes, liter is simply the American spelling of litre; both refer to the same unit of volume.

What does a liter measure?

A liter measures volume and is defined as one cubic decimetre.

Where does the word liter come from?

It comes from the Old French word litron, not from a person's name, despite a well-known hoax claiming otherwise.

What is the meaning of liter?

"liter" (noun) means a liter is the American spelling of litre, a metric unit of volume equal to one cubic decimetre.