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Verbs that Start with L (Free Pdf List)

Looking for verbs that start with l? Here’s the insider secret most writers never realize. Most people think finding strong l-verbs is easy; just look up “love,” “like,” and “live” and call it done.

Wrong, the most powerful L-verbs stay hidden while weak choices drain writing of all energy.

English teachers rarely share which L-verbs actually create impact in sentences. Students stick with the same tired options while dynamic alternatives remain unused.

Certain L-verbs can convert ordinary sentences into memorable prose. The gap between mediocre and compelling writing often depends on choosing the right action words.

A List of Verbs that Start with L

Verbs that start with l bring a mix of movement, emotion, and expression to your sentences.

1. Label

Meaning: to Attach a Tag or Name to Identify or Categorize Something.
Example: She labeled Each Jar with The Contents and Date.

2. Lack

Meaning: to Be without Or Deficient in Something.
Example: they lacked the Experience Needed for The Job.

3. Lag

Meaning: to Fall Behind in Movement, Progress, or Time.
Example: He lagged behind the Group During the Hike.

4. Laminate

Meaning: to Cover with A Protective Layer, Often Plastic.
Example: The teacher laminated the Posters for Durability.

5. Land

Meaning: to Arrive or Come Down to The Ground or A Surface.
Example: The plane Landed Safely at The Airport.

6. Lament

Meaning: to Express Sorrow or Regret.
Example: She lamented the Loss of Her Childhood Pet.

7. Launch

Meaning: to Start or Set Something in Motion.
Example: They launched the New Product Last Month.

8. Laugh

Meaning: to Make a Sound Expressing Joy or Amusement.
Example: He laughed at The Comedian’s Joke.

9. Launder

Meaning: to Wash and Iron Clothes or Linens.
Example: She laundered all the Uniforms Before the Game.

10. Lay

Meaning: to Place Something Down in A Flat Position.
Example: He laid the Book on The Table.

11. Lead

Meaning: to Guide or Direct a Group or Individual.
Example: She led the Team to Victory.

12. Leak

Meaning: to Let Liquid or Gas Escape Through a Hole or Crack.
Example: The pipe Started to Leak Under the Sink.

13. Leap

Meaning: to Jump or Spring a Long Distance.
Example: the Deer Leapt Over the Fence.

14. Learn

Meaning: to Acquire Knowledge or A Skill.
Example: he Learned how To Play Guitar Online.

15. Lease

Meaning: to Rent Property or Goods for A Period of Time.
Example: They leased a Car for Their Vacation.

16. Leave

Meaning: to Go Away from Or Depart.
Example: She left the House Early for Work.

17. Lecture

Meaning: to Deliver an Educational or Instructive Talk.
Example: The professor Lectured on Ancient History.

18. Legalize

Meaning: to Make Something Lawful by Official Action.
Example: the Government Legalized the Use of The New Medicine.

19. Lengthen

Meaning: to Make or Become Longer.
Example: They lengthened the Meeting by Thirty Minutes.

20. Let

Meaning: to Allow or Permit Something to Happen.
Example: She let Her Friend Borrow the Dress.

21. Level

Meaning: to Make Something Flat or Even.
Example: He leveled the Ground Before Building the Shed.

22. Liberate

Meaning: to Set Someone or Something Free.
Example: the Army Liberated the City from Occupation.

23. License

Meaning: to Grant Permission Officially.
Example: The company Was Licensed to Sell Medical Devices.

24. Lick

Meaning: to Pass the Tongue Over Something.
Example: The dog Licked Her Owner’s Hand Affectionately.

25. Lie (recline)

Meaning: to Rest in A Horizontal Position.
Example: He lay on The Sofa Watching TV.

26. Lift

Meaning: to Raise Something to A Higher Position.
Example: She lifted the Box onto The Shelf.

27. Light

Meaning: to Make Something Start Burning or Become Bright.
Example: He light a Candle During the Blackout.

28. Like

Meaning: to Find Something Agreeable or Enjoyable.
Example: She likes listening to Classical Music.

29. Limit

Meaning: to Set a Boundary or Restriction.
Example: They limited the Number of Attendees.

30. Line

Meaning: to Cover or Mark with A Line.
Example: She lined the Drawer with Paper.

31. Link

Meaning: to Connect or Associate Things Together.
Example: the Roads Link the Two Towns.

32. List

Meaning: to Write or State Items One After Another.
Example: He listed all the Supplies Needed.

33. Listen

Meaning: to Pay Attention to Sound.
Example: The kids listened to The Story Carefully.

34. Litigate

Meaning: to Take Legal Action or Engage in A Lawsuit.
Example: They decided to Litigate Over the Property Rights.

35. Live

Meaning: to Be Alive or Reside in A Place.
Example: They live in A Small Cottage Near the Sea.

36. Load

Meaning: to Put Things Into a Container or Vehicle.
Example: He loaded the Truck with Boxes.

37. Loan

Meaning: to Lend Something Temporarily.
Example: She loaned Her Book to A Friend.

38. Locate

Meaning: to Find the Position or Place of Something.
Example: They located the Missing Files.

39. Lock

Meaning: to Fasten or Secure with A Lock.
Example: He locked the Door Before Leaving.

40. Lodge

Meaning: to Stay or Provide Accommodation.
Example: They lodged in A Mountain Cabin for The Weekend.

41. Log

Meaning: to Record Information Systematically.
Example: She logged Her Hours in The Time Sheet.

42. Look

Meaning: to Direct One’s Gaze Toward Something.
Example: Look at ‘The Stars Tonight,’ they’re Beautiful!

43. Loop

Meaning: to Form or Shape Into a Loop or Circle.
Example: He looped the Rope Around the Hook.

44. Loosen

Meaning: to Make Less Tight or Firm.
Example: He loosened His Tie After the Meeting.

45. Lose

Meaning: to Fail to Keep or Win Something.
Example: She Lost Her Keys at The Park.

46. Love

Meaning: to Feel Deep Affection or Passion.
Example: They love Spending Time Together.

47. Lure

Meaning: to Tempt or Attract with A Reward.
Example: the Bait Lured the Fish Toward the Hook.

48. Lurk

Meaning: to Hide and Wait, Often with Harmful Intent.
Example: A Figure Lurked in The Shadows.

49. Luxuriate

Meaning: to Enjoy Oneself in A Lavish Way.
Example: she luxuriated in The Spa Treatment.

50. Lacerate

Meaning: to Tear or Cut Roughly.
Example: the Sharp Glass Lacerated His Palm.

51. Lackey

Meaning: (informally) to Act in A Subservient Manner.
Example: he lacked for The Boss without Question.

52. Lambaste

Meaning: to Criticize Harshly.
Example: the Editor Lambasted the Article’s Inaccuracies.

53. Lampoon

Meaning: to Publicly Ridicule or Mock.
Example: the Comedian Lampooned Politicians in Her Sketch.

54. Languish

Meaning: to Weaken or Suffer from Neglect or Hardship.
Example: the Plant Languished without Sunlight.

55. Latch

Meaning: to Fasten with A Latch.
Example: She latched the Gate Before Leaving.

56. Lavish

Meaning: to Give in Abundance or Excess.
Example: They lavished gifts on Their Guests.

57. Leaf

Meaning: to Turn Pages Quickly.
Example: He leafed through the Magazine.

58. Leach

Meaning: to Drain or Remove Soluble Substances.
Example: the Fertilizer Leached Into the Groundwater.

59. Leapfrog

Meaning: to Jump Over Something in Succession.
Example: the Kids Leapfrogged Over Each Other.

60. Legalise

Meaning: (UK) to Make Lawful by Official Process.
Example: The country legalized the New Policy in 2022.

61. Legitimize

Meaning: to Make Something Acceptable or Officially Valid.
Example: They Sought to Legitimize Their Claim to The Land.

62. Lend

Meaning: to Give Something Temporarily for Use.
Example: I Lent Him My Pen During the Test.

63. Levitate

Meaning: to Float in The Air without Support.
Example: the Magician Levitated Above the Stage.

64. Lessen

Meaning: to Reduce in Amount or Severity.
Example: The pain Lessened After the Medication.

65. Let Go

Meaning: to Release or Free from Control.
Example: He let go of The Balloon and Watched It Rise.

66. Lick Into Shape

Meaning: to Improve Something Into Good Condition.
Example: She Licked the Project Into Shape Before the Deadline.

67. Lie (deceive)

Meaning: to Make a False Statement.
Example: He lied About Finishing His Homework.

68. Lighten

Meaning: to Make Something Brighter or lighter.
Example: they lightened the Mood with A Joke.

69. Linger

Meaning: to Stay in A Place Longer than Necessary.
Example: She lingered after the Show to meet the Cast.

70. Liquidate

Meaning: to Convert Assets Into Cash or Eliminate.
Example: the Company Liquidated Its Old Stock.

71. List Out

Meaning: to State or Write Items in Detail.
Example: He listed out All His Monthly Expenses.

72. Live On

Meaning: to Survive Using Something as Support.
Example: They lived on Savings During the Lockdown.

73. Load Up

Meaning: to Fill Completely or Heavily.
Example: they loaded up The Van with Groceries.

74. Localize

Meaning: to Adapt or Confine Something to A Specific Area.
Example: The software Was Localized for The Japanese Market.

75. Look After

Meaning: to Take Care of Someone or Something.
Example: She looks After Her Younger Brother.

76. Look Ahead

Meaning: to Plan or Think About the Future.
Example: They looked ahead to The New School Year.

77. Look Back

Meaning: to Reflect on The Past.
Example: He looked back on His College Days Fondly.

78. Look Down

Meaning: to Regard with Contempt or Disdain.
Example: they Looked Down on Anyone Who Disagreed.

79. Look For

Meaning: to Search for Something.
Example: I’m looking for My Lost Notebook.

80. Look Forward

Meaning: to Anticipate Something with Excitement.
Example: She looks forward to The Holidays.

81. Look Into

Meaning: to Investigate or Examine.
Example: the Police Are Looking Into the Case.

82. Look Out

Meaning: to Be Cautious or Alert.
Example: Look out for that Speeding Car!

83. Look Over

Meaning: to Inspect or Review Briefly.
Example: He looked over the Contract Before Signing.

84. Look Through

Meaning: to Examine Thoroughly.
Example: She looked through the Documents Carefully.

85. Look Up

Meaning: to Search for Information.
Example: He looked up The Word in The Dictionary.

86. Loop In

Meaning: to Include Someone in Communication or Updates.
Example: Please Loop Me in on Future Emails.

87. Lose Out

Meaning: to Fail to Benefit or Win.
Example: He lost out on the Promotion.

88. Lounge

Meaning: to Relax or Recline Comfortably.
Example: they lounged on The Couch All Afternoon.

89. Lower

Meaning: to Reduce in Height, Level, or Intensity.
Example: She lowered Her Voice to A Whisper.

90. Lubricate

Meaning: to Apply Oil or Grease to Reduce Friction.
Example: He lubricated the Bike Chain Before the Ride.

91. Lull

Meaning: to Soothe or Calm.
Example: the Music Lulled the Baby to Sleep.

92. Lump

Meaning: to Put Together in A Single Group or Mass.
Example: He lumped all the Receipts Into One Pile.

93. Lunge

Meaning: to Move Forward Suddenly.
Example: the Dog Lunged at The Mailman.

94. Lurch

Meaning: to Move Suddenly and Unsteadily.
Example: The bus Lurched Forward After the Stoplight Turned Green.

95. Lush Up

Meaning: (slang) to indulge in Excess, Especially Drinking.
Example: He lushest up Every Weekend at The Bar.

96. Lux

Meaning: (rare/poetic) to Shine or Glow with Light.
Example: the Moon Luxed Over the Calm Lake.

97. Labelize

Meaning: to Apply or Assign a Label to Something.
Example: The system Automatically Labels New Entries.

98. Limitate

Meaning: (rare/archaic) to set a Limit or Boundary.
Example: The law limits what Can Be Imported.

99. Levitize

Meaning: (fictional) to Cause Something to Levitate or Float.
Example: the Wizard Levitated the Stone with A Spell.

100. Launchpad

Meaning: (slang/tech) to start or propel from A Strong Base.
Example: That Internship Launched Her Design Career.

101. Lath

Meaning: (construction) to Apply Strips of Wood or Metal as Support.
Example: They Lathed the Wall Before Plastering It.

102. Ligate

Meaning: (medical) to Tie Off a Vessel or Duct.
Example: The surgeon ligated the Artery During the Procedure.

103. Luff

Meaning: (nautical) to turn a Sailboat Into the Wind.
Example: the Sailor Luffed the Sails to Slow Down.

104. Listicle

Meaning: (media Slang) to Present Content in A List Format.
Example: The writer listed the Article Into Ten Quick Tips.

105. Luxuriate

Meaning: to Indulge Deeply in Pleasure or Comfort.
Example: she luxuriated in The Hot Bubble Bath.

Click here to download and print the free PDF.

Tips for Using Verbs that Start with L

1. Create Flashcards: Make flashcards with the verb on one side and its definition or an example sentence on the other. This helps reinforce meaning and usage.

2. Incorporate in Daily Conversations: Try using verbs like “learn,” “laugh,” or “lend” in everyday speech to make the practice more natural and memorable.

3. Sentence Practice: Write simple sentences using “L” verbs, such as “I like to laugh with my friends” or “She will lend me her book.” This helps reinforce their context.

4. Verb Synonyms: Learn synonyms for “L” verbs to expand your vocabulary. For example, “look” can also be “glance” or “stare.” This builds a deeper understanding.

5. Verb Storytelling: Challenge yourself to tell a story that includes multiple “L” verbs. For instance, “The lion leapt across the land and then lay down to rest.”

6. Mind Mapping: Create a mind map starting with a central verb, then branch out with related actions or nouns. For example, “listen” could branch into “hear,” “sound,” or “music.”

7. Engage in Verb Games: Use word games like crossword puzzles or word searches that feature “L” verbs to make learning enjoyable and competitive.

By using these tips, you can reinforce the understanding and application of verbs that start with “L” in both written and spoken communication.

Bottom Line

You’ve now found a powerful list of verbs that start with l, each defined with precision and paired with real-life examples to help you understand how they function in context.

These verbs cover actions, emotions, and transitions, making them essential tools for effective communication.

Have a favorite “L” verb or want to share how you use these in writing? Drop a comment or share your feedback below.

Andrew Wright

Andrew Wright is a word enthusiast with a love for vocabulary and language puzzles. He earned a degree in Linguistics from the University of Cambridge. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys playing board games, attending language exchange meetups, and writing poetry. His enthusiasm for language and games is contagious, making learning enjoyable for all.