Updated on January 04, 2025
by PushtoLearn
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Adjectives That Start with L

The letter "L" brings a variety of adjectives, ranging from positive traits like lively and luminous to negative descriptors like lousy and lackluster. Whether you’re aiming to depict someone’s personality, describe an object’s appearance, or express emotions, this list of "L" adjectives will help you find the perfect word.

List of Positive Adjectives That Start With L

Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Laid-back

Relaxed and easygoing.

His laid-back attitude made him a pleasure to work with.

Lambent

Softly glowing or flickering.

The lambent light of the candles created a cozy atmosphere.

Lamblike

Gentle and innocent.

The child’s lamblike demeanor melted everyone’s hearts.

Laudable

Praiseworthy or commendable.

Her dedication to charity work is truly laudable.

Laughing

Showing happiness or amusement.

She had a warm, laughing smile.

Laureate

Honored for exceptional achievement.

The laureate poet received widespread acclaim.

Laureled

Crowned with or as if with laurels; celebrated.

The laureled athlete was cheered by the crowd.

Lavish

Rich, luxurious, or generous.

They hosted a lavish banquet for the guests.

Law-abiding

Obedient to the laws.

He is a law-abiding citizen with a spotless record.

Lawful

Legitimate and permitted by law.

Their actions were completely lawful.

Lead

Holding a prominent position.

She is the lead researcher on the project.

Leading

Most important or influential.

He’s one of the leading experts in the field.

Lean

Thin and fit, often in a healthy way.

His lean physique was a result of daily exercise.

Learned

Having great knowledge or erudition.

The professor is a learned scholar in ancient history.

Legendary

Famous and admired for a long time.

Her legendary storytelling captivated everyone.

Legitimate

Genuine and valid.

The claim was backed by legitimate evidence.

Lenient

Permissive and not strict.

The teacher was lenient with late assignments.

Lettered

Highly educated or scholarly.

His lettered background made him a skilled writer.

Level-headed

Calm and sensible.

Her level-headed approach helped solve the crisis.

Life-giving

Providing energy or vitality.

The rain had a life-giving effect on the crops.

Lifesaving

Capable of saving lives.

The doctor performed a lifesaving surgery.

Lighthearted

Cheerful and carefree.

Her lighthearted attitude made everyone relax.

Likable

Pleasant and easy to like.

His likable personality won him many friends.

Like-minded

Having similar opinions or interests.

They formed a group of like-minded individuals.

Limber

Flexible and agile.

The gymnast’s limber body amazed the audience.

Limitless

Without boundaries or limits.

His imagination seemed limitless.

Limpid

Clear and transparent.

The lake’s limpid water reflected the sky.

Lincolnesque

Resembling the qualities of Abraham Lincoln.

His Lincolnesque leadership inspired the team.

Lionhearted

Brave and courageous.

The lionhearted firefighter saved lives during the rescue.

Lissome

Thin, supple, and graceful.

The dancer moved with lissome elegance.

Literary

Relating to literature.

Her writing style has a distinctly literary flair.

Literate

Able to read and write, or well-educated.

The literate population has greatly increased over the years.

Lithe

Graceful and flexible in movement.

The cat’s lithe body moved silently through the grass.

Lithesome

Easily bent; supple.

Her lithesome frame allowed her to perform complex yoga poses.

Lively

Full of energy and enthusiasm.

The lively music brought everyone to the dance floor.

Lofty

Of imposing height; noble or exalted.

He set a lofty goal for the team to achieve.

Logical

Reasonable and based on sound judgment.

Her logical explanation clarified the confusion.

Long-sighted

Able to see far ahead; farsighted.

His long-sighted plans ensured future success.

Loquacious

Very talkative.

The loquacious host kept the conversation flowing.

Lovable

Inspiring affection or love.

The puppy’s playful nature made him incredibly lovable.

Lovely

Beautiful and delightful.

She wore a lovely dress to the party.

Loving

Feeling or showing love.

He gave her a loving smile.

Loyal

Faithful and devoted.

Her loyal friend stood by her through thick and thin.

Lucid

Clear and easy to understand.

His lucid explanation helped everyone grasp the concept.

Lucky

Having good fortune.

She felt lucky to have such wonderful friends.

Lucrative

Producing a lot of profit.

He started a lucrative business in the tech industry.

Luculent

Clear in thought or expression.

Her luculent speech impressed the audience.

Luminescent

Emitting a soft light.

The luminescent glow of the fireflies lit up the night.

Luminous

Bright and shining.

The room was filled with luminous light from the chandelier.

Luscious

Rich and delicious in taste or smell.

The cake had a luscious layer of chocolate frosting.

Lush

Growing luxuriantly or richly.

The garden was filled with lush greenery.

Lustrous

Shiny and glowing.

Her lustrous hair caught everyone’s attention.

Luxuriant

Abundant and rich in growth.

The rainforest was dense with luxuriant vegetation.

Luxurious

Elegant and expensive.

They stayed in a luxurious hotel during their vacation.

Lyrical

Expressing emotion in a beautiful way.

The poem had a deeply lyrical quality.

List of Negative Adjectives That Start With L

Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Labored

Done with great difficulty or effort.

His labored breathing worried the doctors.

Laborious

Requiring much time and effort.

The laborious task drained all her energy.

Laconic

Using few words; terse.

His laconic response left much to the imagination.

Lachrymose

Tearful or prone to weeping.

The lachrymose movie left the audience in tears.

Lackadaisical

Lacking enthusiasm or determination.

His lackadaisical attitude frustrated his teammates.

Lackluster

Lacking vitality, energy, or brightness.

The performance was disappointingly lackluster.

Lame

Weak, inadequate, or unconvincing.

His excuse for being late was utterly lame.

Lamentable

Deserving regret or pity.

The team's lamentable loss shocked everyone.

Languid

Lacking energy or enthusiasm.

She gave a languid wave before leaving the room.

Languishing

Failing to progress or improve.

He spent years languishing in a dead-end job.

Larcenous

Inclined to steal.

The larcenous thief was caught red-handed.

Lascivious

Having or showing excessive sexual desire.

His lascivious remarks made everyone uncomfortable.

Last

Coming after all others in time or order.

She was the last to finish the race.

Late

Occurring after the expected time.

His late arrival delayed the meeting.

Laughable

Ridiculous and deserving of mockery.

The idea was so poorly thought out, it was laughable.

Lawless

Not obeying laws or rules.

The lawless town was rife with crime.

Lax

Not strict or careful enough.

His lax attitude toward safety caused accidents.

Lazy

Unwilling to work or use effort.

He’s too lazy to clean his own room.

Leaden

Dull, heavy, or slow.

Her leaden movements showed her fatigue.

Leathery

Having a tough, dry texture.

His skin was rough and leathery from years in the sun.

Lecherous

Excessively or offensively sexual.

The character’s lecherous behavior made the audience cringe.

Leering

Looking in an unpleasantly suggestive way.

He gave her a leering smile that made her uneasy.

Lesser

Of lower quality or importance.

His contributions were seen as lesser than others’.

Lethargic

Sluggish and lacking energy.

She felt too lethargic to get out of bed.

Lewd

Crude and offensive in a sexual way.

His lewd jokes were inappropriate for the setting.

Libelous

Containing false and defamatory statements.

The article was deemed libelous and was retracted.

Licentious

Lacking moral discipline, especially sexually.

The novel was banned for its licentious content.

Life-threatening

Posing a danger to life.

He was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Lifeless

Without energy, vitality, or spirit.

The conversation was dull and lifeless.

Light-fingered

Prone to stealing.

The light-fingered pickpocket was caught in action.

Lily-livered

Cowardly or lacking courage.

The lily-livered knight fled from the battle.

Limited

Restricted or narrow in scope.

His knowledge of the subject was quite limited.

Limp

Lacking firmness or strength.

His handshake was disappointingly limp.

Listless

Lacking energy or enthusiasm.

She felt listless after a long day at work.

Litigious

Inclined to engage in lawsuits.

He’s known for his litigious nature, always ready to sue.

Livid

Furiously angry.

She was livid when she found out about the mistake.

Loathly

Disgusting or revolting.

The loathly sight made her turn away.

Loathsome

Causing hatred or disgust.

His loathsome behavior alienated everyone.

Lonely

Feeling sad due to isolation.

He felt lonely after moving to a new city.

Lopsided

Uneven or not balanced.

The lopsided arrangement of chairs looked strange.

Loud-mouthed

Talking too loudly or indiscreetly.

His loud-mouthed comments annoyed everyone.

Lousy

Very bad or unpleasant.

She had a lousy day at work.

Lugubrious

Mournful, gloomy, or dismal.

His lugubrious tone dampened the cheerful mood.

Lurid

Shockingly vivid or sensational, often in a bad way.

The newspaper published a lurid story about the scandal.

Lying

Telling falsehoods or being untruthful.

He was caught lying about his whereabouts.

Illustration of Adjectives That Start with L

List of Descriptive Adjectives That Start With L

Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Labeled

Marked or identified with a label.

The jars were neatly labeled with their contents.

Labial

Related to the lips.

The singer had excellent labial control for pronunciation.

Labiate

Having lips or lip-like parts.

The flower’s labiate structure attracted bees.

Labile

Easily changed or unstable.

His emotions were extremely labile under stress.

Labored

Done with great effort and difficulty.

His speech was slow and labored due to exhaustion.

Laborious

Requiring much effort and time.

The process of assembling the model was quite laborious.

Labyrinthian

Complex and intricate, like a maze.

The old mansion had a labyrinthian layout.

Labyrinthine

Complicated and maze-like.

The labyrinthine corridors confused the visitors.

Laced

Decorated or intertwined with something.

The drink was laced with hints of vanilla.

Lacelike

Resembling lace in appearance.

Her gown had a delicate, lacelike trim.

Lacerated

Torn or deeply cut.

The victim had lacerated skin from the accident.

Lachrymal

Related to tears or tear glands.

The lachrymal glands were swollen.

Lachrymose

Tearful or prone to weeping.

The lachrymose film brought many to tears.

Laciniate

Divided into narrow segments.

The plant had laciniate leaves.

Lackadaisical

Lacking enthusiasm or determination.

His lackadaisical attitude frustrated the team.

Lackluster

Lacking brilliance or energy.

Her lackluster performance disappointed the judges.

Laconic

Brief and to the point.

His laconic responses left much unsaid.

Lactic

Relating to or derived from milk.

The product contained lactic acid for skin care.

Lacy

Resembling or made of lace.

She wore a beautiful lacy scarf.

Ladylike

Polite and refined in behavior.

She carried herself in a very ladylike manner.

Laden

Heavily loaded or weighed down.

The ship was laden with cargo.

Laic

Not ecclesiastical or clerical; secular.

The ceremony had a laic tone, focusing on humanism.

Laid-back

Relaxed and easygoing.

His laid-back personality made him enjoyable to be around.

Lambent

Softly glowing or flickering.

The lambent glow of the fire was comforting.

Lame

Crippled or weak.

The horse was lame after injuring its leg.

Lamentable

Deserving of regret or pity.

The lamentable state of the building called for immediate repairs.

Languid

Lacking energy or enthusiasm.

She gave a languid wave before leaving.

Lanky

Tall and thin, often awkwardly so.

The lanky teenager struggled to find clothes that fit.

Large

Of considerable size or extent.

They lived in a large house near the lake.

Lascivious

Showing excessive or offensive sexual desire.

His lascivious comments were unwelcome.

Lasting

Enduring or continuing over time.

Their friendship had a lasting impact on her life.

Livid

Furiously angry or discolored from bruising.

His face turned livid when he heard the news.

Lopsided

Uneven or unbalanced.

The lopsided cake leaned to one side.

Lugubrious

Mournful, gloomy, or dismal.

His lugubrious tone made everyone uncomfortable.


Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Last-minute

Happening or done at the last possible moment.

He made a last-minute decision to join the trip.

Late

Occurring after the expected time.

Her late arrival disrupted the meeting.

Latent

Existing but not yet developed or visible.

The disease remained latent for years.

Later

Occurring after a specific time.

We’ll discuss the details at a later date.

Lateral

Relating to the side.

The tree had strong lateral roots.

Latest

Most recent or up-to-date.

This is the latest version of the software.

Lathery

Having a frothy or soapy texture.

The soap created a thick, lathery foam.

Latitudinal

Relating to latitude or width.

The map shows latitudinal lines for navigation.

Latter

Referring to the second of two items.

I prefer the latter option in this scenario.

Latticed

Formed with a crisscrossed framework.

The latticed window let in filtered sunlight.

Latticelike

Resembling a lattice structure.

The intricate design had a latticelike pattern.

Laudable

Deserving praise and commendation.

Her efforts to help the community were truly laudable.

Laureled

Honored with a laurel or recognition.

The laureled poet received many awards.

Laughable

Deserving laughter or ridicule.

His attempt to fix the sink was laughable.

Laughing

Expressing joy or amusement.

The laughing children played in the park.

Lavender

Of a light purple color.

She wore a beautiful lavender dress.

Lavish

Rich, luxurious, or generous.

They hosted a lavish banquet for their guests.

Law-abiding

Obedient to the laws.

He’s a law-abiding citizen with a clean record.

Lawful

Permitted by law.

Their actions were completely lawful.

Lawless

Lacking law and order.

The lawless region was rife with chaos.

Lax

Not strict or careful enough.

His lax attitude towards deadlines caused delays.

Layered

Arranged in multiple layers.

The cake had a beautifully layered design.

Lazy

Unwilling to work or use energy.

He was too lazy to clean his room.

Lead

Leading or most important.

She plays the lead role in the movie.

Leaden

Dull, heavy, or slow.

His leaden footsteps echoed through the hall.

Leading

Most important or influential.

She’s one of the leading scientists in her field.

Leafless

Without leaves.

The leafless tree looked stark in winter.

Leaflike

Resembling a leaf.

The butterfly’s wings had leaflike patterns.

Leafy

Covered with leaves.

They lived in a leafy suburb.

Leaking

Allowing liquid or gas to escape.

The leaking faucet needed immediate repair.

Leakproof

Preventing leaks.

She bought a leakproof water bottle for her hikes.

Leaky

Allowing small amounts of liquid to escape.

The old roof was leaky during heavy rain.

Lean

Thin and fit, often in a healthy way.

His lean physique was the result of regular exercise.

Learnable

Capable of being learned.

This skill is easily learnable with practice.

Learned

Having a lot of knowledge or education.

The learned professor gave an inspiring lecture.

Leased

Rented under a lease agreement.

They moved into a leased apartment.

Leasing

Involving the renting of property or equipment.

The company specializes in leasing vehicles.

Least

Smallest in amount, extent, or degree.

He showed the least interest in the project.

Leather

Made from the hide of an animal.

She bought a leather jacket for the winter.

Leathered

Having a tough, weathered texture like leather.

His leathered hands showed years of hard work.


Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Leatherlike

Resembling leather in texture or appearance.

The bag was made of a leatherlike material.

Leathery

Having a tough, durable texture like leather.

His hands were leathery from years of hard labor.

Leaved

Having leaves.

The tree was lush and leaved with vibrant foliage.

Leavened

Made to rise using yeast or another agent.

They baked a fresh loaf of leavened bread.

Lecherous

Showing excessive or offensive sexual desire.

His lecherous gaze made everyone uncomfortable.

Leechlike

Clinging or dependent in an annoying way.

Her leechlike behavior irritated her friends.

Leering

Looking in an unpleasantly suggestive way.

The stranger gave her a leering glance.

Leeward

On or toward the side sheltered from the wind.

They anchored the boat on the leeward side of the island.

Left

Located on the side of the body or object opposite the right.

He turned to the left to avoid the obstacle.

Left-handed

Using the left hand more skillfully than the right.

She is left-handed and writes beautifully.

Left-wing

Supporting liberal or progressive policies.

The politician was known for his left-wing views.

Leftover

Remaining after the rest has been used.

They stored the leftover food for the next day.

Legal

Permitted by law.

The transaction was completely legal.

Legato

In a smooth, flowing manner (used in music).

The violinist played the piece legato for a soothing effect.

Legendary

Famous and admired for a long time.

Her legendary achievements inspired many.

Legged

Having legs.

The insect was six-legged and moved swiftly.

Leggy

Having long legs.

The leggy model walked gracefully down the runway.

Legible

Clear enough to be read.

His handwriting is neat and legible.

Legion

Numerous or vast in number.

She faced legion challenges but overcame them all.

Legislative

Relating to laws or the making of laws.

The senator proposed a new legislative measure.

Legitimate

Conforming to the law or rules.

His concerns were entirely legitimate.

Leguminous

Relating to or resembling legumes.

The farm produced a variety of leguminous crops.

Leisurely

Acting or done at a relaxed pace.

They took a leisurely stroll along the beach.

Lemonlike

Resembling a lemon in taste, color, or appearance.

The dish had a lemonlike tang that was refreshing.

Lemony

Having the flavor or scent of lemon.

The pie had a deliciously lemony taste.

Lendable

Capable of being lent or borrowed.

The library offers a wide range of lendable books.

Lengthwise

In the direction of the longer side.

Cut the cucumber lengthwise for the salad.

Lengthy

Long in duration or extent.

His explanation was unnecessarily lengthy.

Lenient

Permissive and not strict.

The teacher was lenient with late homework.

Lenten

Relating to or appropriate for Lent.

They followed a strict Lenten diet.

Lenticular

Shaped like a lens.

The lenticular clouds were mesmerizing to watch.

Lentiform

Having the shape of a biconvex lens.

The lentiform seeds were easy to identify.

Lentiginous

Covered with freckles or spots.

Her lentiginous skin was dotted with freckles.

Lentissimo

Very slow in tempo (used in music).

The pianist played the piece lentissimo, creating a somber mood.

Lento

Slow in tempo.

The orchestra played the opening movement lento.

Leonine

Resembling a lion.

His leonine mane of hair was striking.

Lepidote

Covered with small scales.

The lizard’s skin was lepidote and shiny.

Leprose

Covered with scaly or flaky patches.

The tree bark appeared leprose due to disease.

Leprous

Resembling or affected by leprosy.

The leprous texture of the rock was unsettling.

Lesbian

Relating to female homosexuality.

The film explored themes of lesbian love.

Less

Not as much in quantity or degree.

The project required less effort than expected.

Lessened

Made smaller in amount or importance.

The storm lessened in intensity by the evening.

Lesser

Of lower quality or importance.

He took on a lesser role in the new project.

Lesser-known

Not well-known or famous.

The book explores lesser-known historical events.

Lethal

Capable of causing death.

The snake’s bite was extremely lethal.

Lethargic

Sluggish and lacking energy.

She felt lethargic after a heavy meal.

Lettered

Educated and knowledgeable.

The lettered scholar gave an inspiring lecture.

Level

Flat, even, or balanced.

The surface of the table was perfectly level.

Levelheaded

Calm and sensible, especially in difficult situations.

His levelheaded response defused the tension.

Levitical

Relating to the Levites or their laws.

The Levitical texts provide detailed instructions for rituals.


Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Levorotatory

Turning to the left (used in chemistry).

The substance exhibited a levorotatory rotation of light.

Lewd

Crude and offensive in a sexual way.

His lewd comments were highly inappropriate.

Lexical

Relating to words or vocabulary.

The dictionary provides lexical definitions for each term.

Lexicalized

Converted into a fixed word or phrase.

"Blog" has become a lexicalized part of our vocabulary.

Lexicographic

Relating to the writing, editing, or compiling of dictionaries.

The lexicographic process requires great attention to detail.

Liable

Legally responsible.

The company is liable for any damages caused.

Libelous

Containing false and defamatory statements.

The article was removed due to its libelous content.

Liberal

Open to new ideas or free from strict rules.

She has a very liberal approach to teaching.

Liberated

Freed from social or legal constraints.

The liberated artist expressed herself without fear.

Libidinal

Relating to sexual desire.

His actions were driven by libidinal instincts.

Licensable

Capable of being licensed.

The software is licensable for commercial use.

Licensed

Having official permission.

She is a licensed pilot with years of experience.

Licentious

Lacking moral discipline, especially sexually.

The novel was criticized for its licentious content.

Licit

Permitted by law.

The transaction was entirely licit.

Licked

Beaten or overcome.

He felt completely licked after the defeat.

Lidded

Having a lid or cover.

She used a lidded container to store the leftovers.

Lidless

Without a lid or cover.

The jar sat lidless on the counter.

Liege

Relating to feudal loyalty.

He was a liege lord, bound to protect his vassals.

Life-giving

Providing vitality or energy.

The rain was a life-giving force for the parched crops.

Lifeless

Without energy or vitality.

Her voice sounded lifeless after the long day.

Lifelike

Very realistic or true to life.

The wax figure was incredibly lifelike.

Lifelong

Lasting for the entirety of a person’s life.

They shared a lifelong friendship.

Lifesize

Of the same size as in real life.

The museum had a lifesize replica of a dinosaur.

Life-threatening

Posing a serious risk to life.

The accident left him with life-threatening injuries.

Lifted

Raised or elevated.

She felt her spirits lifted after the good news.

Light

Not heavy or intense.

He enjoyed a light snack before bed.

Light-armed

Equipped with light weaponry.

The light-armed soldiers moved swiftly through the terrain.

Light-blue

A pale shade of blue.

She wore a light-blue dress to the party.

Lightheaded

Feeling dizzy or faint.

He felt lightheaded after standing up too quickly.

Light-fingered

Prone to stealing.

The light-fingered thief was caught shoplifting.

Light-footed

Agile and quick in movement.

The dancer’s light-footed steps captivated the audience.

Light-handed

Using a delicate or gentle approach.

The chef’s light-handed seasoning was perfect.

Lighthearted

Cheerful and carefree.

Her lighthearted jokes brightened everyone’s day.

Lightless

Without light; dark.

The room was cold and lightless.

Light-minded

Not serious or thoughtful.

His light-minded attitude frustrated his boss.

Lightproof

Impervious to light.

The photographer stored film in a lightproof container.

Lightsome

Nimble or graceful.

Her lightsome movements made her look effortless on stage.

Lightweight

Of relatively little weight.

He bought a lightweight jacket for summer.

Ligneous

Resembling wood.

The fossil had a ligneous texture.

Likable

Easy to like or pleasant.

His likable personality made him many friends.

Likelier

More likely to happen.

It’s likelier to rain than to stay sunny today.

Likely

Probable or expected.

She is likely to arrive late.

Like-minded

Having similar opinions or interests.

The group consisted of like-minded individuals.

Lilac

A pale purple color.

She decorated her room with lilac curtains.

Lilaceous

Relating to the lilac plant family.

The garden was filled with lilaceous flowers.

Lilliputian

Extremely small or tiny.

The model village featured Lilliputian houses.

Lilting

Having a cheerful or rhythmic quality.

Her lilting voice made the song enchanting.

Lily-livered

Cowardly or lacking courage.

He was too lily-livered to confront the bully.

Limacine

Resembling a slug.

The creature had a limacine texture.

Limbed

Having limbs.

The spider was eight-limbed and moved swiftly.

Limber

Flexible and agile.

Her limber body allowed her to perform difficult yoga poses.

Limbic

Relating to the limbic system of the brain.

The study focused on limbic responses to stress.


Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Limbless

Without limbs.

The limbless statue stood in the middle of the room.

Limited

Restricted in amount or scope.

The offer was only available for a limited time.

Limiting

Serving as a restriction.

His lack of experience was a limiting factor in his career.

Limitless

Without any limits or boundaries.

Her creativity seemed limitless.

Limnological

Relating to the study of freshwater bodies.

The limnological research focused on lake ecosystems.

Limp

Lacking stiffness or firmness.

His handshake was disappointingly limp.

Limpid

Clear and transparent.

The limpid water of the spring was refreshing.

Limping

Walking with difficulty due to injury or weakness.

He was limping after spraining his ankle.

Lincolnesque

Resembling the qualities of Abraham Lincoln.

His Lincolnesque leadership inspired many.

Lincolnian

Relating to or characteristic of Abraham Lincoln.

The speaker’s Lincolnian values emphasized equality and justice.

Lineal

Relating to direct descent or lineage.

He is the lineal heir to the family fortune.

Linear

Arranged in a straight line.

The diagram showed a linear relationship between variables.

Lined

Having lines or marks.

Her face was lined with years of experience.

Lingering

Lasting for a long time.

She had a lingering feeling of unease.

Lingual

Relating to the tongue.

The dentist examined the lingual side of the teeth.

Linguistic

Relating to language or linguistics.

Her linguistic skills allowed her to learn new languages easily.

Lingulate

Shaped like a tongue.

The leaf had a lingulate structure.

Linked

Connected or related in some way.

The two events are closely linked.

Linnaean

Relating to the classification system of Carl Linnaeus.

The scientist used the Linnaean taxonomy to classify the species.

Lionhearted

Brave and courageous.

The lionhearted soldier led his troops into battle.

Lipless

Without lips.

The fish’s lipless mouth made it look peculiar.

Liplike

Resembling lips.

The flower had a liplike petal structure.

Lipophilic

Having an affinity for fats or lipids.

The lipophilic compound dissolved easily in oil.

Lipotropic

Promoting the breakdown of fat.

The supplement contains lipotropic agents to support metabolism.

Lipped

Having lips.

The lipped bowl was perfect for pouring liquids.

Liquefiable

Capable of being turned into a liquid.

The gas is liquefiable under high pressure.

Liquefied

Turned into a liquid state.

The liquefied gas was stored in tanks.

Liquescent

Becoming liquid or soft.

The liquescent snow began to melt under the sun.

Liquid

Having a flowing, water-like consistency.

The chemical changed from solid to liquid form.

Liquified

Turned into a liquid, often through heat.

The butter was liquified for the recipe.

Lissome

Thin, supple, and graceful.

The ballerina’s lissome movements captivated the audience.

Listed

Included in a list.

The item was clearly listed on the inventory.

Listless

Lacking energy or enthusiasm.

She felt listless after a long day at work.

Lit

Illuminated or lighted.

The room was brightly lit by the chandelier.

Lite

Lighter in weight, content, or intensity.

He opted for the lite version of the software.

Literal

Taking words in their usual or most basic sense.

His literal interpretation of the joke confused everyone.

Literary

Relating to literature or writing.

She enjoys discussing literary works.

Literate

Able to read and write, or well-educated.

A literate population is essential for progress.

Lithe

Graceful and flexible in movement.

The dancer’s lithe body moved effortlessly.

Lithesome

Easily bent or flexible.

Her lithesome frame allowed her to perform complex acrobatics.

Lithographic

Relating to a printing method using flat surfaces.

The artist’s lithographic prints were stunning.

Litigious

Prone to engaging in lawsuits.

His litigious nature made him difficult to work with.

Littered

Scattered or covered with debris.

The beach was littered with trash after the party.

Little

Small in size or amount.

She lived in a little cottage in the woods.

Little-known

Not widely known or recognized.

The documentary explored a little-known part of history.

Littler

Smaller in size or amount.

The littler dog barked at the bigger one.

Liturgical

Relating to public worship or religious rituals.

The church followed a liturgical calendar.

Livable

Suitable or fit to live in.

They made the old house livable with some renovations.


Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Live

Having life or existing in real time.

The concert was broadcast live on television.

Livelier

More full of energy or spirit.

The party grew livelier as the night progressed.

Liveliest

Most full of energy or spirit.

She was the liveliest person at the event.

Livelong

Lasting for the whole day or long duration.

They worked the livelong day in the fields.

Lively

Full of energy and enthusiasm.

The lively music got everyone dancing.

Liver-colored

Having the dark reddish-brown color of liver.

The dog had a liver-colored coat.

Liveried

Dressed in a uniform or specific attire.

The liveried servant greeted the guests at the door.

Liverish

Having a sallow complexion, resembling liver.

He looked a bit liverish after the long trip.

Livid

Furiously angry or discolored from bruising.

She was livid when she found out about the mistake.

Living

Having life; active or current.

The garden was full of living plants and animals.

Loaded

Heavily burdened or charged.

The truck was loaded with goods.

Loath

Reluctant or unwilling.

He was loath to admit his mistake.

Loathsome

Causing hatred or disgust.

His loathsome behavior alienated everyone.

Lobed

Having rounded or projecting parts.

The leaf was deeply lobed and unique in shape.

Lobular

Shaped like or relating to a small lobe.

The tumor was found to be lobular in structure.

Local

Relating to a specific area or region.

They bought produce from the local farmers’ market.

Localized

Restricted to a specific area.

The pain was localized to her lower back.

Locatable

Able to be found or located.

The treasure was easily locatable using the map.

Located

Positioned in a particular place.

The hotel is located near the city center.

Locked

Secured with a lock.

The cabinet was locked to keep it safe.

Locomotive

Relating to movement or travel.

The locomotive engine pulled the long train.

Lodged

Fixed or stuck in a specific position.

The splinter was painfully lodged in his finger.

Lofty

Of imposing height or noble in character.

He had lofty ambitions for his career.

Logarithmic

Relating to logarithms, a mathematical concept.

The data was plotted on a logarithmic scale.

Loggerheaded

Stupid or stubborn.

They had a loggerheaded argument over nothing.

Logical

Based on sound reasoning or clear thinking.

Her solution to the problem was entirely logical.

Logistic

Relating to the organization of complex operations.

The logistic details of the event were handled perfectly.

Logistical

Relating to the coordination of resources.

They faced several logistical challenges during the move.

Logographic

Relating to a writing system using symbols.

Ancient Chinese script is a logographic system.

Logy

Sluggish or lacking energy.

He felt logy after eating too much.

Lone

Solitary or by itself.

The lone wolf howled at the moon.

Lonely

Feeling sad due to isolation.

She felt lonely after moving to a new city.

Lonesome

Isolated or deserted.

The lonesome road stretched on for miles.

Long

Measuring a great distance or duration.

It was a long journey across the country.

Long-armed

Having long arms.

The long-armed monkey easily reached the fruit.

Long-distance

Covering a great distance.

He excels at long-distance running.

Longer

Of greater length.

The second bridge is much longer than the first.

Longest

Of the greatest length.

This is the longest river in the country.

Longhand

Written by hand, not typed.

He prefers writing his notes in longhand.

Longing

Having a strong desire for something.

She felt a longing for her hometown.

Longitudinal

Relating to length or running lengthwise.

The study tracked longitudinal data over a decade.

Long-lived

Existing or lasting for a long time.

The long-lived tree stood for centuries.

Long-range

Involving a great distance or long-term.

They made long-range plans for the project.

Long-sighted

Able to see far distances clearly.

His long-sighted vision helped guide the company.

Long-standing

Existing for a long time.

They had a long-standing friendship.

Long-suffering

Patiently enduring hardship.

She remained long-suffering despite her challenges.

Long-term

Involving an extended period of time.

The project required long-term commitment.

Longtime

Having existed or lasted for a long time.

They are longtime friends from childhood.

Long-winded

Using too many words; verbose.

His long-winded explanation bored the audience.

Look-alike

Resembling someone or something else.

The actor was a look-alike of the famous star.

Loony

Crazy or eccentric.

His wild ideas made him seem a bit loony.

Loopy

Silly, strange, or eccentric.

The movie had a loopy plot that was hard to follow.

Loose

Not tight or secure.

The shirt was too loose and needed alterations.


Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Looseleaf

Having pages that can be easily removed or replaced.

He organized his notes in a looseleaf binder.

Loosened

Made less tight or strict.

She loosened the straps of her backpack.

Looser

Less tight or strict than before.

His jacket is much looser after losing weight.

Loosest

Most free or least tight.

These are the loosest pants I’ve ever worn.

Looted

Stolen or taken by force.

The store was looted during the riots.

Lopsided

Uneven or out of balance.

The picture frame hung lopsided on the wall.

Loquacious

Tending to talk a great deal.

Her loquacious nature made her popular at parties.

Lordless

Without a lord or ruler.

The lordless land was in chaos.

Lordly

Showing a superior or arrogant attitude.

He gave a lordly wave to his subjects.

Lossy

Involving or resulting in the loss of data.

The image was compressed in a lossy format.

Lost

Unable to find one’s way or lacking direction.

She felt lost in the big city.

Louche

Disreputable or sordid, but in an appealing way.

He had a louche charm that intrigued everyone.

Loud

Producing a strong sound.

The music was too loud for her liking.

Louder

More noisy than before.

The crowd grew louder as the game continued.

Loudest

Producing the most noise.

The loudest cheer came when the team scored.

Loud-mouthed

Speaking too loudly or boldly.

His loud-mouthed remarks annoyed his colleagues.

Loud-voiced

Having a strong or projecting voice.

The loud-voiced announcer energized the audience.

Lousy

Very bad or unpleasant.

He had a lousy day at work.

Loutish

Rude or clumsy in behavior.

His loutish manners embarrassed his friends.

Lovable

Inspiring love or affection.

The puppy was absolutely lovable.

Loved

Held in deep affection.

She felt deeply loved by her family.

Lovely

Beautiful and pleasing.

The garden looked lovely in the spring sunshine.

Lovelier

More beautiful or charming.

The sunset grew lovelier as the evening progressed.

Loveliest

Most beautiful or charming.

That was the loveliest bouquet she had ever seen.

Lovelorn

Unhappy due to unrequited love.

He wandered the streets, lovelorn and dejected.

Loving

Feeling or showing deep affection.

She gave her child a loving embrace.

Low

Situated or ranked below others.

His spirits were low after the defeat.

Lowborn

Of humble or low social origin.

The lowborn hero rose to greatness.

Lowbred

Ill-mannered or coarse.

His lowbred behavior was shocking to everyone.

Lowbrow

Not highly intellectual or cultured.

He preferred lowbrow comedy over serious dramas.

Low-budget

Requiring or involving little expense.

The film was made on a low-budget, but it was a hit.

Low-calorie

Containing few calories.

She prefers low-calorie snacks for her diet.

Low-carb

Containing few carbohydrates.

They followed a low-carb diet to lose weight.

Low-cost

Inexpensive.

The airline offers low-cost travel options.

Low-density

Having relatively few units in a given space.

The area is known for its low-density population.

Lower

Situated beneath or less in rank.

They moved to the lower floor of the building.

Lowercase

Not capitalized.

His password was written entirely in lowercase.

Lowered

Brought or moved to a lower position.

She lowered her voice to a whisper.

Lowermost

Situated at the very bottom.

The lowermost shelf was hard to reach.

Lowest

At the very bottom in rank or position.

This is the lowest point in the valley.

Low-fat

Containing little fat.

She enjoys low-fat yogurt for breakfast.

Low-grade

Of poor or inferior quality.

The product was made from low-grade materials.

Low-interest

Having a small rate of interest.

They applied for a low-interest loan.

Low-key

Subtle, restrained, or understated.

Their wedding was a low-key affair with close friends.

Lowland

Relating to or situated in a low area of land.

They lived in a lowland region near the river.

Low-level

Situated at a low position or rank.

The job required only low-level technical skills.

Lowly

Humble or low in status.

He began his career in a lowly position.

Low-lying

Situated near or below sea level.

The low-lying areas are prone to flooding.

Low-maintenance

Requiring little care or upkeep.

This plant is perfect for beginners as it’s low-maintenance.

Low-necked

Having a low neckline.

She wore a low-necked dress to the gala.


Adjective

Definition

Example Sentence

Low-pressure

Not stressful or urgent.

The company promotes a low-pressure work environment.

Low-priced

Inexpensive or affordable.

They offer low-priced options for budget travelers.

Low-ranking

Holding a position of little authority.

He is a low-ranking officer in the organization.

Low-risk

Involving minimal danger or loss.

It’s a low-risk investment with steady returns.

Low-spirited

Feeling sad or discouraged.

She seemed low-spirited after receiving the bad news.

Loyal

Faithful and devoted.

The dog remained loyal to its owner.

Lubberly

Clumsy and awkward.

His lubberly attempts at dancing amused everyone.

Lubricated

Made slippery or smooth with a substance.

The machine parts were well lubricated for smooth operation.

Lubricious

Lecherous or overly suggestive.

His lubricious behavior made everyone uncomfortable.

Lucent

Glowing with light; luminous.

The lucent stars lit up the night sky.

Lucid

Clear and easy to understand.

Her explanation was so lucid that everyone understood immediately.

Luckier

Having more good fortune.

He seemed luckier than most in winning games.

Luckiest

Having the most good fortune.

She felt like the luckiest person alive.

Luckless

Unfortunate or unlucky.

The luckless adventurer faced one obstacle after another.

Lucky

Having good fortune.

She found a lucky penny on the ground.

Lucrative

Producing a great deal of profit.

Real estate is often a lucrative business.

Luculent

Clear in thought or expression.

His speech was both luculent and compelling.

Ludic

Relating to play or games.

The children enjoyed the ludic activities at the park.

Ludicrous

Absurd or ridiculous.

The idea of walking 50 miles in one day seemed ludicrous.

Lugubrious

Mournful, gloomy, or dismal.

His lugubrious expression dampened the mood of the party.

Lukewarm

Moderately warm or lacking enthusiasm.

Her response to the proposal was rather lukewarm.

Lumbar

Relating to the lower back.

He experienced pain in his lumbar region.

Lumbering

Moving in a slow, heavy, or awkward way.

The lumbering bear made its way through the forest.

Lumbosacral

Relating to the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine.

The doctor examined the lumbosacral area for pain.

Luminary

Inspiring or influential, often in a field.

She is a luminary in the field of medicine.

Luminescent

Emitting a soft light.

The luminescent glow of the jellyfish was mesmerizing.

Luminous

Bright or shining.

The luminous moon lit up the night.

Lumpen

Awkward or clumsy, often socially.

His lumpen behavior made social interactions difficult.

Lumpish

Heavy or ungainly in movement.

The lumpish cat slowly climbed onto the couch.

Lumpy

Full of lumps or uneven.

The soup was lumpy and needed more stirring.

Lunar

Relating to the moon.

The astronauts conducted a lunar exploration.

Lunate

Shaped like a crescent.

The lunate scar on his arm was oddly shaped.

Lunatic

Wildly foolish or insane.

His lunatic plan was met with skepticism.

Lupine

Relating to or resembling a wolf.

The dog had a lupine appearance with its sharp features.

Lurid

Vivid in color, often in an unpleasant way.

The lurid headlines caught everyone’s attention.

Luscious

Rich, sweet, and delicious.

She enjoyed the luscious taste of ripe strawberries.

Lush

Abundant, rich, or luxurious.

The garden was filled with lush greenery.

Lusterless

Without shine or brilliance.

The old silverware had become lusterless over time.

Lustful

Filled with strong sexual desire.

His lustful gaze made her uncomfortable.

Lustrous

Shining or glowing.

Her lustrous hair caught the light beautifully.

Lusty

Full of vigor or enthusiasm.

The audience gave a lusty cheer for the performer.

Luxe

Expensive and luxurious.

The resort offered a luxe experience for its guests.

Luxuriant

Rich and abundant in growth.

The luxuriant vegetation covered the hillside.

Luxurious

Extremely comfortable and elegant.

They stayed in a luxurious suite with ocean views.

Lying

Not telling the truth.

He was caught lying about his whereabouts.

Lymphatic

Relating to the lymph system.

The doctor examined her lymphatic glands for swelling.

Lymphoid

Relating to lymph or lymphatic tissue.

The biopsy revealed lymphoid cells.

Lyrate

Shaped like a lyre or harp.

The leaf had a lyrate form, making it unique.

Lyric

Expressing the writer's emotions in a poetic way.

The lyric passages in the novel were beautifully written.

Lyrical

Expressing deep personal emotions.

Her lyrical voice moved the entire audience.


Personality Traits

  • Positive: Loyal, Likable, Lighthearted

  • Negative: Lazy, Lethargic, Lecherous

Descriptions of Appearance

  • Positive: Luminous, Legendary, Lacy

  • Negative: Lurid, Loathsome, Lugubrious

Behavioral Descriptors

  • Positive: Lavish, Ladylike, Laudable

  • Negative: Lackluster, Lousy, Lecherous

Everyday Use of Adjectives Starting With L

Words like lively, loyal, and lazy are frequently used in everyday conversations to describe people, places, or situations. For example:

  • “She’s always so lively at parties.”

  • “My dog is incredibly loyal and follows me everywhere.”
    In contrast, negative adjectives like lethargic or lackluster are useful for expressing dissatisfaction:

  • “I felt too lethargic to get any work done today.”

Common Mistakes

  1. Confusing “Luminous” with “Luminescent”

    • Mistake: “The stars were luminescent tonight.”

    • Correction: Use luminous for bright, glowing objects in a general sense, while luminescent refers to emitting light without heat.

  2. Misusing “Lazy” for Temporary Fatigue

    • Mistake: “I’m feeling so lazy after that workout.”

    • Correction: Use tired or exhausted instead, as lazy implies unwillingness to act.

  3. Overusing “Legendary”

    • Mistake: “That sandwich was legendary!”

    • Correction: Reserve legendary for truly remarkable things or events.

FAQ 

What are some positive adjectives starting with L?

Adjectives like loyal, lively, lighthearted, and lavish are great for describing positive traits or situations.

How do I use “labyrinthine” in a sentence?

Example: “The city’s labyrinthine streets were easy to get lost in.”

What’s the difference between “luminous” and “radiant”?

  • Luminous: Emitting light or glowing.

  • Radiant: Emitting light, heat, or happiness.

Are there any scientific adjectives starting with L?

Yes! Words like linear (arranged in a line) and lithic (relating to stone) are often used in scientific contexts.

How can I avoid overusing “lazy” in descriptions?

Use synonyms like sluggish, inactive, or lethargic for variety, depending on the context.

 
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