l

1 of 4

noun

ˈel 

variants often L

plural l's or ls ˈelz 

often attributive

1

a

: the 12th letter of the English alphabet

b

: a graphic representation of this letter

c

: a speech counterpart of orthographic l

2

: fifty see Table of Numbers

3

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter l

4

: one designated l especially as the 12th in order or class

5

: something shaped like the letter L

specifically : ell entry 2 sense 1

6

: el entry 2

l

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

1

lady

2

lake

3

lambert

4

land

5

large

6

late

7

left

8

length

9

[Latin libra] pound

10

line

11

liquid

12

lira

13

liter

14

little

15

low

L

3 of 4

abbreviation (2)

1

Lagrangian

2

long

3

loss; losses

l-

4 of 4

prefix

1

ˌlē-(ˌ)vō, 

ˌel, 

ˈel

: levorotatory

l-tartaric acid

2

ˌel, 

ˈel

: having a similar configuration at a selected carbon atom to the configuration of levorotatory glyceraldehyde

—usually printed as a small capital

l-fructose

Did you know?

Words Starting With L

Browse 11,988 words and phrases that start with the letter L, from la to lytic.

Examples of l in a Sentence

Noun

a word that starts with an l

a word that starts with l

Abbreviation (1)

The area of a rectangle is L x W.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The clownish dance is a Fortnite video game gesture, and involves making an L shape with fingers, pressing it to one’s forehead, then high kicking from side to side. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026

Del Coro points out that pumpkin seeds, almonds, and spinach are all good sources of magnesium, and green tea provides L-theanine, but the Clevr latte is certainly an easy way to consume them all at once. —Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026

As for the fresh water itself, Tekton serves that up in the available 140-L water tank. —New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026

Our best overall pair are the Canon 10x42 IS L WP binoculars for its good mid range magnification and 42mm objective lenses. —Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026

Larter's penchant for a strong Look (with a capital L) has been well-documented. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026

There is no specific dosage recommendation for l-theanine for brain health. —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 3 Mar. 2026

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (R) stands with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) as she is applauded after delivering her speech on the second day of the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool, north-west England, on September 29, 2025. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026

Swayman had taken the L in Philadelphia on Saturday — the best game the B’s have played of the three since the break — but forced his way back into the win column. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Prefix

International Scientific Vocabulary, from lev-

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

l

noun

ˈel

often capitalized

1

: the 12th letter of the English alphabet

2

: fifty in Roman numerals

Medical Definition

L

1 of 3 abbreviation

1

left

2

levorotatory

3

light

4

liquid

5

liter

6

lumbar

—used especially with a number from 1 to 5 to indicate a vertebra or segment of the spinal cord in the lumbar region

L

2 of 3 symbol

lithium

l-

3 of 3 prefix

1

ˌlē-(ˌ)vō, ˌel, ˈel

: levorotatory

—usually printed in italic

l-tartaric acid

2

ˌel, ˈel

: having a similar configuration at a selected carbon atom to the configuration of levorotatory glyceraldehyde

—usually printed as a small capital

L-fructose

L-tryptophan