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 company also notes the van will include a 60-L water supply, water heater and 80-L fridge/freezer. —New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2026

There's individual variability in how well L-tyrosine works. —Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 12 Apr. 2026

Ranked-choice running (L-R) Democratic candidates for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Olu Brown, Geoff Duncan, Derrick Jackson and Michael Thurmond participate in an education forum at Morehouse College earlier this month. —Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026

The hardscape design take backyard meals to the next level by having the grill built into the countertops that extend in an L-shape to a semi-open bar. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026

This is not a theoretical argument; this is not only industry standard but has in fact been done on a limited basis by the MTA already, such as on the L train more than 20 years ago now, without incident. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026

After back-to-back blowout wins, Illinois closed the month with two straight L’s — at UCLA and then at home to Michigan, which clinched the Big Ten regular-season title with the easy win. —Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

But the Wkwwkw covers are designed in an L shape that creates a seamless, smooth cover. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2026

The mix uses a 90 L tilting drum mixer. —Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 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