8 VERB If a member of a particular religion lapses , they stop believing in it or stop following its rules and practices. □ [V -ed] She calls herself a lapsed Catholic.
lap|top /læ ptɒp/ (laptops ) N‑COUNT A laptop or a laptop computer is a small portable computer. □ She used to work at her laptop until four in the morning.
lap|wing /læ pw I ŋ/ (lapwings ) N‑COUNT A lapwing is a small dark green bird which has a white breast and feathers sticking up on its head.
lar|ceny /lɑː r səni/ N‑UNCOUNT Larceny is the crime of stealing. [LEGAL ] □ Haggerman now faces two to 20 years in prison on grand larceny charges.
larch /lɑː r tʃ/ (larches ) N‑VAR A larch is a tree with needle-shaped leaves.
lard /lɑː r d/ N‑UNCOUNT Lard is soft white fat obtained from pigs. It is used in cooking.
lar|der /lɑː r də r / (larders ) N‑COUNT A larder is a room or large cupboard in a house, usually near the kitchen, in which food is kept. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use pantry
large ◆◆◆ /lɑː r dʒ/ (larger , largest )
1 ADJ A large thing or person is greater in size than usual or average. □ The Pike lives mainly in large rivers and lakes. □ In the largest room about a dozen children and seven adults are sitting on the carpet. □ He was a large man with thick dark hair.
2 ADJ A large amount or number of people or things is more than the average amount or number. □ The gang finally fled with a large amount of cash and jewellery. □ There are a large number of centres where you can take full-time courses. □ The figures involved are truly very large.
3 ADJ A large organization or business does a lot of work or commercial activity and employs a lot of people. □ …a large company in Chicago. □ Many large organizations run courses for their employees.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Large is used to indicate that a problem or issue which is being discussed is very important or serious. □ …the already large problem of under-age drinking. □ There's a very large question about the viability of the newspaper.
5 PHRASE You use at large to indicate that you are talking in a general way about most of the people mentioned. □ The chances of getting reforms accepted by the community at large remain remote.
6 PHRASE If you say that a dangerous person, thing, or animal is at large , you mean that they have not been captured or made safe. □ The man who tried to have her killed is still at large.
7 PHRASE You use by and large to indicate that a statement is mostly but not completely true. □ By and large, it went well.
8 to a large extent → see extent
9 larger than life → see life
10 in large measure → see measure SYNONYMS large ADJ 1
big: Australia's a big country.
substantial: That is a very substantial improvement in the present situation.
great: The room had a great bay window.
considerable: Vets' fees can be considerable, even for routine visits.
bulky: …bulky items like lawn mowers.
large|ly ◆◆◇ /lɑː r dʒli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] You use largely to say that a statement is not completely true but is mostly true. □ The fund is largely financed through government borrowing. □ I largely work with people who already are motivated. □ Their weapons have been largely stones.
2 ADV Largely is used to introduce the main reason for a particular event or situation. □ Retail sales dipped two percent last month, largely because Americans were buying fewer cars. SYNONYMS largely ADV 1
mainly: The birds live mainly on nectar.
mostly: Cars are mostly metal.
generally: This is generally true.
primarily: …a book aimed primarily at high-energy physicists.
chiefly: His response to attacks on his work was chiefly bewilderment.
la rge-sca le also large scale
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A large-scale action or event happens over a very wide area or involves a lot of people or things. □ …a large scale military operation.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A large-scale map or diagram represents a small area of land or a building or machine on a scale that is large enough for small details to be shown. □ …a large-scale map of the county.
lar|gesse /lɑː r ʒe s/ in AM, use largess N‑UNCOUNT Largesse is a generous gift of money or a generous act of kindness. [FORMAL ] □ …grateful recipients of their largesse. □ …his most recent act of largesse.
larg|ish /lɑː r dʒ I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Largish means fairly large. □ …a largish modern city.
lar|go /lɑː r goʊ/ (largos )
1 ADV [ADV after v] Largo written above a piece of music means that it should be played slowly.
2 N‑COUNT A largo is a piece of music, especially part of a longer piece, that is played slowly.
lark /lɑː r k/ (larks )
1 N‑COUNT A lark is a small brown bird which makes a pleasant sound.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that doing something is a lark , you mean that it is fun, although perhaps naughty or dangerous. □ The children thought it was a great lark.
lar|va /lɑː r və/ (larvae /lɑː r viː/) N‑COUNT A larva is an insect at the stage of its life after it has developed from an egg and before it changes into its adult form. □ The eggs quickly hatch into larvae.
lar|val /lɑː r v ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Larval means concerning insect larvae or in the state of being an insect larva.
lar|yn|gi|tis /læ r I ndʒa I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Laryngitis is an infection of the throat in which your larynx becomes swollen and painful, making it difficult to speak.
lar|ynx /læ r I ŋks/ (larynxes ) N‑COUNT Your larynx is the top part of the passage that leads from your throat to your lungs and contains your vocal cords. [MEDICAL ]
la|sa|gne /ləsæ njə/ (lasagnes ) also lasagna N‑VAR Lasagne is a food dish that consists of layers of pasta, sauce, and a filling such as meat or cheese, baked in an oven.
las|civi|ous /ləs I viəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as lascivious , you disapprove of them because they show a very strong interest in sex. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The man was lascivious, sexually perverted and insatiable. □ …their lewd and lascivious talk.
la|ser /le I zə r / (lasers , lasering , lasered )
1 N‑COUNT A laser is a narrow beam of concentrated light produced by a special machine. It is used for cutting very hard materials, and in many technical fields such as surgery and telecommunications. □ …new laser technology.
2 N‑COUNT A laser is a machine that produces a laser beam. □ …the first-ever laser, built in 1960.
3 VERB If you have part of your body lasered , you have it treated using a laser. □ [have n V -ed] I had my eyes lasered. I was shortsighted and now I'm not. □ [V n] British men are shaving, waxing and lasering their body hair like never before.
la |ser print|er (laser printers ) N‑COUNT A laser printer is a computer printer that produces clear words and pictures by using laser beams.
lash /læ ʃ/ (lashes , lashing , lashed )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your lashes are the hairs that grow on the edge of your upper and lower eyelids. □ …sombre grey eyes, with unusually long lashes. □ Joanna studied him through her lashes.
2 VERB If you lash two or more things together, you tie one of them firmly to the other. □ [V n + to ] Secure the anchor by lashing it to the rail. □ [V n with together ] The shelter is built by lashing poles together to form a small dome. □ [V n with adv] We were worried about the lifeboat which was not lashed down. [Also V n]
3 VERB If wind, rain, or water lashes someone or something, it hits them violently. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n] The worst winter storms of the century lashed the east coast of North America. □ [V prep/adv] Suddenly rain lashed against the windows.
4 VERB If someone lashes you or lashes into you, they speak very angrily to you, criticizing you or saying you have done something wrong. □ [V n] She went quiet for a moment while she summoned up the words to lash him. □ [V + into ] The report lashes into police commanders for failing to act on intelligence information.
5 N‑COUNT A lash is a thin strip of leather at the end of a whip.
6 N‑COUNT A lash is a blow with a whip, especially a blow on someone's back as a punishment. □ [+ for ] The villagers sentenced one man to five lashes for stealing a ham from his neighbor.
▸ lash out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you lash out , you attempt to hit someone quickly and violently with a weapon or with your hands or feet. □ [V P ] Riot police fired in the air and lashed out with clubs to disperse hundreds of demonstrators. □ [V P + at ] Her husband has a terrible temper and lashes out at her when he's angry.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you lash out at someone or something, you speak to them or about them very angrily or critically. □ [V P + at/against ] As a politician Jefferson frequently lashed out at the press. [Also V P ]
lash|ing /læ ʃ I ŋ/ (lashings )
1 QUANT Lashings of something means a large quantity or amount of it. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Serve by cutting the scones in half and spreading with jam and lashings of clotted cream.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Lashings are ropes or cables that are used to tie one thing to another. □ We made a tour of the yacht, checking lashings and emergency gear.
3 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone's comments as a lashing , you mean that they are very critical and angry. □ He never grew used to the lashings he got from the critics.
4 N‑COUNT A lashing is a punishment in which a person is hit with a whip.
lass /læ s/ (lasses ) N‑COUNT A lass is a young woman or girl. [mainly SCOTTISH or NORTHERN ENGLISH ] □ Anne is a Lancashire lass from Longton, near Preston. □ 'What is it, lass?' Finlay cried.
las|sie /læ si/ (lassies ) N‑COUNT A lassie is a young woman or girl. [mainly SCOTTISH , INFORMAL ]
las|si|tude /læ s I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ N‑UNCOUNT Lassitude is a state of tiredness, laziness, or lack of interest. [FORMAL ] □ Symptoms of anaemia include general fatigue and lassitude.
las|so /læsuː , [AM ] læ soʊ/ (lassoes , lassoing , lassoed )
1 N‑COUNT A lasso is a long rope with a loop at one end, used especially by cowboys for catching cattle.
2 VERB If you lasso an animal, you catch it by throwing a lasso round its neck and pulling it tight. □ [V n] Cowboys drove covered wagons and rode horses, lassoing cattle.
last ◆◆◆ /lɑː st, læ st/ (lasts , lasting , lasted )
1 DET You use last in expressions such as last Friday, last night , and last year to refer, for example, to the most recent Friday, night, or year. □ I got married last July. □ He never made it home at all last night. □ It is not surprising they did so badly in last year's elections.
2 ADJ The last event, person, thing, or period of time is the most recent one. □ Much has changed since my last visit. □ At the last count inflation was 10.9 per cent. □ I split up with my last boyfriend three years ago. □ The last few weeks have been hectic. ● PRON Last is also a pronoun. □ The next tide, it was announced, would be even higher than the last.
3 ADV [ADV with v] If something last happened on a particular occasion, that is the most recent occasion on which it happened. □ When were you there last? □ The house is a little more dilapidated than when I last saw it. □ Hunting on the trust's 625,000 acres was last debated two years ago.
4 ORD The last thing, person, event, or period of time is the one that happens or comes after all the others of the same kind. □ This is his last chance as prime minister. □ …the last three pages of the chapter. □ She said it was the very last house on the road. □ They didn't come last in their league. ● PRON Last is also a pronoun. □ I'm not the first employee she has done this to and I probably won't be the last. □ The trickiest bits are the last on the list.
5 ADV [ADV after v] If you do something last , you do it after everyone else does, or after you do everything else. □ I testified last. □ I was always picked last for the football team at school. □ The foreground, nearest the viewer, is painted last.
6 PRON If you are the last to do or know something, everyone else does or knows it before you. □ [+ to-inf] She was the last to go to bed. □ [+ to-inf] Riccardo and I are always the last to know what's going on.
7 ADJ Last is used to refer to the only thing, person, or part of something that remains. □ Jed nodded, finishing off the last piece of pizza. □ …the freeing of the last hostage. ● N‑SING Last is also a noun. □ [+ of ] He finished off the last of the coffee. □ [+ of ] The last of the ten inmates gave themselves up after twenty eight hours.
8 ADJ You use last before numbers to refer to a position that someone has reached in a competition after other competitors have been knocked out. □ He reached the last four at Wimbledon. □ …the only woman among the authors making it through to the last six.
9 ADJ You can use last to indicate that something is extremely undesirable or unlikely. [EMPHASIS ] □ The last thing I wanted to do was teach. □ He would be the last person who would do such a thing. ● PRON Last is also a pronoun. □ I would be the last to say that science has explained everything.
10 PRON The last you see of someone or the last you hear of them is the final time that you see them or talk to them. □ She disappeared shouting, 'To the river, to the river!' And that was the last we saw of her. □ I had a feeling it would be the last I heard of him.
11 VERB If an event, situation, or problem lasts for a particular length of time, it continues to exist or happen for that length of time. □ [V + for ] The marriage had lasted for less than two years. □ [V n] The games lasted only half the normal time. □ [V ] Enjoy it because it won't last. [Also V adv]
12 VERB If something lasts for a particular length of time, it continues to be able to be used for that time, for example because there is some of it left or because it is in good enough condition. □ [V + for ] You only need a very small blob of glue, so one tube lasts for ages. □ [V n] The repaired sail lasted less than 24 hours. □ [V adv] The implication is that this battery lasts twice as long as other batteries. [Also V ]
13 → see also lasting
14 PHRASE If you say that something has happened at last or at long last you mean it has happened after you have been hoping for it for a long time. □ I'm so glad that we've found you at last! □ Here, at long last, was the moment he had waited for. □ At last the train arrived in the station.
15 PHRASE You use expressions such as the night before last , the election before last and the leader before last to refer to the period of time, event, or person that came immediately before the most recent one in a series. □ It was the dog he'd heard the night before last. □ In the budget before last a tax penalty on the mobile phone was introduced.
16 PHRASE You can use phrases such as the last but one , the last but two , or the last but three , to refer to the thing or person that is, for example, one, two, or three before the final person or thing in a group or series. □ It's the last but one day in the athletics programme. □ The British team finished last but one.
17 PHRASE You can use expressions such as the last I heard and the last she heard to introduce a piece of information that is the most recent that you have on a particular subject. □ The last I heard, Joe and Irene were still happily married.
18 PHRASE If you leave something or someone until last , you delay using, choosing, or dealing with them until you have used, chosen, or dealt with all the others. □ I have left my best wine until last. □ I picked first all the people who usually were left till last.
19 to have the last laugh → see laugh
20 last-minute
21 the last straw → see straw
22 last thing → see thing USAGE last
Don’t use ‘the’ before ‘last’ with this meaning. Don’t say, for example, ‘
I saw him the last week
’. Say ‘I saw him last week
’.
COLLOCATIONS
last
VERB
11
last + noun : hour, minute, month, year
noun + last : marriage, match, meeting, trial; effect
last + adverb : forever
la st-di tch ADJ [ADJ n] A last-ditch action is done only because there are no other ways left to achieve something or to prevent something happening. It is often done without much hope that it will succeed. □ …a last-ditch attempt to prevent civil war.
la st hur|ra h N‑COUNT [usu sing] Someone's last hurrah is the last occasion on which they do something, especially at the end of their career. □ I haven't even begun to think about quitting or having a last hurrah.
last|ing /lɑː st I ŋ, læ st-/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use lasting to describe a situation, result, or agreement that continues to exist or have an effect for a very long time. □ We are well on our way to a lasting peace. □ She left a lasting impression on him.
2 → see also last
La st Ju dge|ment also Last Judgment N‑PROPER In the Christian religion, the Last Judgement is the last day of the world when God will judge everyone who has died and decide whether they will go to Heaven or Hell.
last|ly /lɑː stli, læ st-/
1 ADV You use lastly when you want to make a final point, ask a final question, or mention a final item that is connected with the other ones you have already asked or mentioned. □ Lastly, I would like to ask about your future plans.
2 ADV You use lastly when you are saying what happens after everything else in a series of actions or events. □ They wash their hands, arms and faces, and lastly, they wash their feet.
la st-mi nute → see minute ➊
la st ri tes N‑PLURAL The last rites are a religious ceremony performed by a Christian priest for a dying person. □ [+ to ] Father Stephen Lea administered the last rites to the dead men.
latch /læ tʃ/ (latches , latching , latched )
1 N‑COUNT A latch is a fastening on a door or gate. It consists of a metal bar which you lift in order to open the door. □ You left the latch off the gate and the dog escaped.
2 N‑COUNT A latch is a lock on a door which locks automatically when you shut the door, so that you need a key in order to open it from the outside. □ [+ of ] …a key clicked in the latch of the front door.
3 VERB If you latch a door or gate, you fasten it by means of a latch. □ [V n] He latched the door, tested it, and turned around to speak to Frank.
▸ latch onto or latch on
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone latches onto a person or an idea or latches on , they become very interested in the person or idea, often finding them so useful that they do not want to leave them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] Rob had latched onto me. He followed me around and sat beside me at lunch. □ [V P ] Other trades have been quick to latch on.
2 PHRASAL VERB If one thing latches onto another, or if it latches on , it attaches itself to it and becomes part of it. □ [V P n] These are substances which specifically latch onto the protein on the cell membrane. [Also V P ]
latch|key /læ tʃkiː/ also latch-key ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to a child as a latchkey kid, you disapprove of the fact that they have to let themselves into their home when returning from school because their parents are out at work. [DISAPPROVAL ]
late ◆◆◆ /le I t/ (later , latest )
1 ADV Late means near the end of a day, week, year, or other period of time. □ [+ in ] It was late in the afternoon. □ [+ at ] She had to work late at night. □ [+ in ] His autobiography was written late in life. □ The case is expected to end late next week. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Late is also an adjective. □ The talks eventually broke down in late spring. □ He was in his late 20s. □ …the late 1960s.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If it is late , it is near the end of the day or it is past the time that you feel something should have been done. □ It was very late and the streets were deserted. □ We've got to go now. It's getting late. ● late|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] A large crowd had gathered despite the lateness of the hour.
3 ADV [ADV after v] Late means after the time that was arranged or expected. □ Steve arrived late. □ The talks began some fifteen minutes late. □ We got up late. ● ADJ Late is also an adjective. □ His campaign got off to a late start. □ We were a little late. □ The train was 40 minutes late. □ He's a half hour late. ● late|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He apologised for his lateness.
4 ADV [ADV after v] Late means after the usual time that a particular event or activity happens. □ We went to bed very late. □ He married late. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Late is also an adjective. □ They had a late lunch in a cafe. □ He was a very late developer.
5 ADJ You use late when you are talking about someone who is dead, especially someone who has died recently. □ …my late husband. □ …the late Mr Parkin.
6 ADJ Someone who is late of a particular place or institution lived or worked there until recently. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …Cousin Zachary, late of Bellevue Avenue. □ [+ of ] The restaurant is managed by Angelo, late of the Savoy Grill.
7 → see also later , latest
8 CONVENTION If you say better late than never when someone has done something, you think they should have done it earlier. □ It's been a long time coming but better late than never.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone is doing something late in the day , you mean that their action or behaviour may not be fully effective because they have waited too long before doing it. □ I'd left it all too late in the day to get anywhere with these strategies.
10 PHRASE If an action or event is too late , it is useless or ineffective because it occurs after the best time for it. □ It was too late to turn back. □ We realized too late that we were caught like rats in a trap.
11 a late night → see night SYNONYMS late ADJ 3
overdue: I'll go home and pay an overdue visit to my mother.
tardy: I was as tardy as ever for the afternoon appointments.
belated: …a belated birthday present.
late|comer /le I tkʌmə r / (latecomers ) N‑COUNT A latecomer is someone who arrives after the time that they should have done, or later than others. □ The latecomers stood just outside at door and window.
late|ly /le I tli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] You use lately to describe events in the recent past, or situations that started a short time ago. □ Dad's health hasn't been too good lately. □ Lord Tomas had lately been appointed Chairman of the Centre for Policy Studies. □ 'Have you talked to her lately?'
2 ADV You can use lately to refer to the job a person has been doing until recently. [FORMAL ] □ …Timothy Jean Geoffrey Pratt, lately deputy treasury solicitor.
la te-night
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Late-night is used to describe events, especially entertainments, that happen late in the evening or late at night. □ …his late-night show on BBC Radio One. □ …late-night drinking parties.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Late-night is used to describe services that are available late at night and do not shut when most commercial activities finish. □ Saturday night was a late-night shopping night. □ …late-night trains.
la|tent /le I t ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Latent is used to describe something which is hidden and not obvious at the moment, but which may develop further in the future. □ Advertisements attempt to project a latent meaning behind an overt message.
lat|er ◆◆◆ /le I tə r /
1 Later is the comparative of late .
2 ADV You use later to refer to a time or situation that is after the one that you have been talking about or after the present one. □ He resigned ten years later. □ I'll join you later. □ Burke later admitted he had lied. ● PHRASE You use later on to refer to a time or situation that is after the one that you have been talking about or after the present one. □ Later on I'll be speaking to the film's director. □ This is only going to cause me more problems later on.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use later to refer to an event, period of time, or other thing which comes after the one that you have been talking about or after the present one. □ At a later news conference, he said differences should not be dramatized. □ The competition should have been re-scheduled for a later date.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] You use later to refer to the last part of someone's life or career or the last part of a period of history. □ He found happiness in later life. □ In his later years he wrote very little. □ …the later part of the 20th century.
5 → see also late
6 sooner or later → see sooner
lat|er|al /læ tərəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Lateral means relating to the sides of something, or moving in a sideways direction. □ McKinnon estimated the lateral movement of the bridge to be between four and six inches. ● lat|er|al|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ Shafts were sunk, with tunnels dug laterally.
la t|er|al thi nk|ing N‑UNCOUNT Lateral thinking is a method of solving problems by using your imagination to help you think of solutions that are not obvious at first. [mainly BRIT ]
lat|est ◆◆◇ /le I t I st/
1 Latest is the superlative of late .
2 ADJ You use latest to describe something that is the most recent thing of its kind. □ …her latest book. □ Latest reports say another five people have been killed.
3 ADJ You can use latest to describe something that is very new and modern and is better than older things of a similar kind. □ Crooks are using the latest laser photocopiers to produce millions of fake banknotes. □ I got to drive the latest model. □ [+ in ] Computers have always represented the latest in technology. [Also + of ]
4 → see also late
5 PHRASE You use at the latest in order to indicate that something must happen at or before a particular time and not after that time. [EMPHASIS ] □ She should be back by ten o'clock at the latest.
la|tex /le I teks/ N‑UNCOUNT Latex is a substance obtained from some kinds of trees, which is used to make products like rubber and glue.
lathe /le I ð/ (lathes ) N‑COUNT A lathe is a machine which is used for shaping wood or metal.
lath|er /lɑː ðə r , læ ðə r / (lathers , lathering , lathered )
1 N‑SING A lather is a white mass of bubbles which is produced by mixing a substance such as soap or washing powder with water. □ [+ with ] …the sort of water that easily makes a lather with soap. □ He wiped off the remains of the lather with a towel.
2 VERB When a substance such as soap or washing powder lathers , it produces a white mass of bubbles because it has been mixed with water. □ [V ] The shampoo lathers and foams so much it's very hard to rinse it all out.
3 VERB If you lather something, you rub a substance such as soap or washing powder on it until a lather is produced, in order to clean it. □ [V n] Lather your hair as normal. □ [V n with adv] For super-soft skin, lather on a light body lotion before you bathe. [Also V n prep]
Lat|in ◆◇◇ /læ t I n/ (Latins )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Latin is the language which the ancient Romans used to speak.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Latin countries are countries where Spanish, or perhaps Portuguese, Italian, or French, is spoken. You can also use Latin to refer to things and people that come from these countries. □ Cuba was one of the least Catholic of the Latin countries. □ The enthusiasm for Latin music is worldwide.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Latins are people who come from countries where Spanish, or perhaps Portuguese, Italian, or French, are spoken or whose families come from one of these countries. □ They are role models for thousands of young Latins.
La t|in Ame ri|can (Latin Americans )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Latin American means belonging or relating to the countries of South America, Central America, and Mexico. Latin American also means belonging or relating to the people of culture of these countries.
2 N‑COUNT A Latin American is a person who comes from South America, Central America, or Mexico.
La|ti|no /lætiː noʊ/ (Latinos ) also latino
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A Latino is a citizen of the United States who originally came from Latin America, or whose family originally came from Latin America. [mainly AM ] □ He was a champion for Latinos and blacks within the educational system. □ …the city's office of Latino Affairs.
2 ADJ Latino means belonging or relating to Latino people or their culture.
lati|tude /læ t I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ (latitudes )
1 N‑VAR The latitude of a place is its distance from the equator. Compare longitude . □ In the middle to high latitudes rainfall has risen steadily over the last 20–30 years. ● ADJ Latitude is also an adjective. □ The army must cease military operations above 36 degrees latitude north.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Latitude is freedom to choose the way in which you do something. [FORMAL ] □ He would be given every latitude in forming a new government.
la|trine /lətriː n/ (latrines ) N‑COUNT A latrine is a structure, usually consisting of a hole in the ground, that is used as a toilet, for example in a military camp.
lat|te /læ te I , [AM ] lɑː te I / (lattes ) N‑UNCOUNT Latte is strong coffee mixed with hot milk. ● N‑COUNT A latte is a cup of latte.
lat|ter ◆◇◇ /læ tə r /
1 PRON When two people, things, or groups have just been mentioned, you can refer to the second of them as the latter . □ He tracked down his cousin and uncle. The latter was sick. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Latter is also an adjective. □ There are the people who speak after they think and the people who think while they're speaking. Mike definitely belongs in the latter category.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use latter to describe the later part of a period of time or event. □ The latter part of the debate concentrated on abortion.
la tter-day ADJ [ADJ n] Latter-day is used to describe someone or something that is a modern equivalent of a person or thing in the past. □ He holds the belief that he is a latter-day prophet.
lat|ter|ly /læ tə r li/ ADV You can use latterly to indicate that a situation or event is the most recent one. [WRITTEN ] □ He sat on the board for more than a decade, latterly as chairman.
lat|tice /læ t I s/ (lattices ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A lattice is a pattern or structure made of strips of wood or another material which cross over each other diagonally leaving holes in between. □ [+ of ] We were crawling along the narrow steel lattice of the bridge.
lat|ticed /læ t I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n, oft v-link ADJ with n] Something that is latticed is decorated with or is in the form of a lattice. □ …latticed doors. □ The surface of the brain is pinky-grey and latticed with tiny blood vessels.
lat|tice|work /læ t I swɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT Latticework is any structure that is made in the form of a lattice. □ …latticework chairs.
laud /lɔː d/ (lauds , lauding , lauded ) VERB If people laud someone, they praise and admire them. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] He lauded the work of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. □ [V n + as ] They lauded the former president as a hero. □ [V n + for ] Dickens was lauded for his social and moral sensitivity. ● laud|ed ADJ □ …the most lauded actress in New York.
laud|able /lɔː dəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is laudable deserves to be praised or admired. [FORMAL ] □ One of Emma's less laudable characteristics was her jealousy.
lauda|tory /lɔː dətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A laudatory piece of writing or speech expresses praise or admiration for someone. [FORMAL ] □ The New York Times has this very laudatory article about your retirement. □ Beth spoke of Dr. Hammer in laudatory terms.
laugh ◆◆◆ /lɑː f, læ f/ (laughs , laughing , laughed )
1 VERB When you laugh , you make a sound with your throat while smiling and show that you are happy or amused. People also sometimes laugh when they feel nervous or are being unfriendly. □ [V ] He was about to offer an explanation, but she was beginning to laugh. □ [V + with ] He laughed with pleasure when people said he looked like his dad. □ [V + at ] The British don't laugh at the same jokes as the French. □ [V with quote] 'I'll be astonished if I win on Sunday,' laughed Lyle. ● N‑COUNT Laugh is also a noun. □ [+ at ] Lysenko gave a deep rumbling laugh at his own joke.
2 VERB If people laugh at someone or something, they mock them or make jokes about them. □ [V + at ] I thought they were laughing at me because I was ugly.
3 PHRASE If you do something for a laugh or for laughs , you do it as a joke or for fun. □ They were persuaded onstage for a laugh by their mates. □ It's a project she's doing for laughs.
4 PHRASE If a person or their comment gets a laugh or raises a laugh , they make the people listening to them laugh. [mainly BRIT ] □ The joke got a big laugh, which encouraged me to continue.
5 PHRASE If you describe a situation as a laugh , a good laugh , or a bit of a laugh , you think that it is fun and do not take it too seriously. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Working there's great. It's quite a good laugh actually.
6 PHRASE If you describe someone as a laugh or a good laugh , you like them because they are amusing and fun to be with. [mainly BRIT ] □ Mickey was a good laugh and great to have in the dressing room.
7 PHRASE If you say that you have the last laugh , you mean that you become successful at something so that people who criticize or oppose you look foolish. □ Perhaps these people take more care of themselves and so ultimately have the last laugh.
8 to laugh your head off → see head
9 no laughing matter → see matter
▸ laugh off PHRASAL VERB If you laugh off a difficult or serious situation, you try to suggest that it is amusing and unimportant, for example by making a joke about it. □ [V P n] The couple laughed off rumours that their marriage was in trouble. □ [V n P ] Whilst I used to laugh it off, I'm now getting irritated by it. COLLOCATIONS laugh VERB 1
laugh + adverb : heartily, hysterically, loudly, uproariously; nervously, softly
laugh|able /lɑː fəb ə l, læ f-/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something such as an idea or suggestion is laughable , you mean that it is so stupid as to be funny and not worth serious consideration. □ The idea that she didn't know anything is laughable. ● laugh|ably ADV [usu ADV adj] □ To an outsider, the issues that we fight about would seem almost laughably petty.
lau gh|ing gas N‑UNCOUNT Laughing gas is a type of anaesthetic gas which sometimes has the effect of making people laugh uncontrollably.
laugh|ing|ly /lɑː f I ŋli, læ f-/ ADV [ADV with v] If you laughingly refer to something with a particular name or description, the description is not appropriate and you think that this is either amusing or annoying. □ I spent much of what I laughingly call 'the holidays' working through 621 pages of typescript.
lau gh|ing stock (laughing stocks ) also laughing-stock N‑COUNT If you say that a person or an organization has become a laughing stock , you mean that they are supposed to be important or serious but have been made to seem ridiculous. □ The truth must never get out. If it did she would be a laughing-stock. □ [+ of ] …his policies became the laughing stock of the financial community.
laugh|ter ◆◇◇ /lɑː ftə r , læ f-/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Laughter is the sound of people laughing, for example because they are amused or happy. □ Their laughter filled the corridor. □ He delivered the line perfectly, and everybody roared with laughter. □ …hysterical laughter.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Laughter is the fact of laughing, or the feeling of fun and amusement that you have when you are laughing. □ Pantomime is about bringing laughter to thousands. COLLOCATIONS laughter NOUN 1
adjective + laughter : helpless, hysterical, raucous, uncontrollable; derisive, hollow, nervous; canned
laughter + be + adjective : contagious, infectious
verb + laughter : draw, prompt, provoke
launch ◆◆◇ /lɔː ntʃ/ (launches , launching , launched )
1 VERB To launch a rocket, missile, or satellite means to send it into the air or into space. □ [V n] NASA plans to launch a satellite to study cosmic rays. □ [be V -ed] The rocket was launched early this morning. ● N‑VAR Launch is also a noun. □ [+ of ] This morning's launch of the space shuttle has been delayed.
2 VERB To launch a ship or a boat means to put it into water, often for the first time after it has been built. □ [V n] There was no time to launch the lifeboats because the ferry capsized with such alarming speed. ● N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Launch is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The launch of a ship was a big occasion.
3 VERB To launch a large and important activity, for example a military attack, means to start it. □ [V n] Heavy fighting has been going on after the guerrillas had launched their offensive. □ [V n] The police have launched an investigation into the incident. ● N‑COUNT Launch is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the launch of a campaign to restore law and order.
4 VERB If a company launches a new product, it makes it available to the public. □ [V n] Crabtree & Evelyn has just launched a new jam, Worcesterberry Preserve. □ [V n] The company recently hired her as a model to launch its new range. ● N‑COUNT Launch is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The company's spending has also risen following the launch of a new Sunday magazine.
5 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A launch is a large motorboat that is used for carrying people on rivers and lakes and in harbours. □ The captain was on the deck of the launch, steadying the boat for the pilot.
▸ launch into PHRASAL VERB If you launch into something such as a speech, task, or fight, you enthusiastically start it. □ [V P n] Horrigan launched into a speech about the importance of new projects. □ [V pron-refl P n] Geoff has launched himself into fatherhood with great enthusiasm. COLLOCATIONS launch VERB
1
launch + noun : missile, rocket
3
launch + noun : assault, attack, offensive, raid; inquiry, investigation, probe; appeal, bid, campaign
4
launch + noun : product, range, service NOUN 4
noun + launch : album, book, manifesto, product SYNONYMS launch VERB
1
propel: The rocket, attached to the spacecraft, propels it toward Mars.
fire: Soldiers fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
discharge: Lewis was tried for unlawfully and dangerously discharging a weapon.
3
open: They are now ready to open negotiations.
initiate: They wanted to initiate a discussion on economics.
instigate: Jenkinson instigated a refurbishment of the old gallery.
lau nch|ing pad (launching pads ) N‑COUNT A launching pad is the same as a launch pad .
lau nch pad (launch pads )
1 N‑COUNT A launch pad or launching pad is a platform from which rockets, missiles, or satellites are launched.
2 N‑COUNT A launch pad or launching pad is a situation, for example a job, which you can use in order to go forward to something better or more important. □ [+ for ] Wimbledon has been a launch pad for so many players.
laun|der /lɔː ndə r / (launders , laundering , laundered )
1 VERB When you launder clothes, sheets, and towels, you wash and iron them. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] How many guests who expect clean towels every day in an hotel launder their own every day at home?
2 VERB To launder money that has been obtained illegally means to process it through a legitimate business or to send it abroad to a foreign bank, so that when it comes back nobody knows that it was illegally obtained. □ [V n] The House voted today to crack down on banks that launder drug money. ● laun|der|er (launderers ) N‑COUNT □ …a businessman and self-described money launderer.
Laun|der|ette /lɔː ndre t/ (Launderettes ) in BRIT, also use laundrette N‑COUNT A Launderette is a place where people can pay to use machines to wash and dry their clothes. [mainly BRIT , TRADEMARK ] in AM, usually use Laundromat
Laun|dro|mat /lɔː ndrəmæt/ (Laundromats ) N‑COUNT A Laundromat is the same as a Launderette . [AM , TRADEMARK ]
laun|dry /lɔː ndri/ (laundries )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Laundry is used to refer to clothes, sheets, and towels that are about to be washed, are being washed, or have just been washed. □ I'll do your laundry. □ [+ in ] He'd put his dirty laundry in the clothes basket.
2 N‑COUNT A laundry is a firm that washes and irons clothes, sheets, and towels for people. □ We had to have the washing done at the laundry.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A laundry or a laundry room is a room in a house, hotel, or institution where clothes, sheets, and towels are washed. □ [+ at ] He worked in the laundry at Oxford prison.
4 to wash your dirty laundry in public → see dirty
lau n|dry list (laundry lists ) N‑COUNT If you describe something as a laundry list of things, you mean that it is a long list of them. □ [+ of ] …a laundry list of reasons why shareholders should reject the bid.
lau|rel /lɒ r ə l, [AM ] lɔː r-/ (laurels )
1 N‑VAR A laurel or a laurel tree is a small evergreen tree with shiny leaves. The leaves are sometimes used to make decorations such as wreaths.
2 PHRASE If someone is resting on their laurels , they appear to be satisfied with the things they have achieved and have stopped putting effort into what they are doing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The government can't rest on its laurels and must press ahead with major policy changes.
lava /lɑː və/ (lavas ) N‑VAR Lava is the very hot liquid rock that comes out of a volcano.
lava|to|rial /lævətɔː riəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Lavatorial jokes or stories involve childish references to urine or faeces. [mainly BRIT ]
lava|tory /læ vətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ (lavatories ) N‑COUNT A lavatory is the same as a toilet . [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ at ] …the ladies' lavatory at the University of London. □ …a public lavatory.
la va|tory pa|per N‑UNCOUNT Lavatory paper is paper that you use to clean yourself after you have got rid of urine or faeces from your body. [BRIT , FORMAL ] in AM, use toilet paper
lav|en|der /læ v I ndə r / (lavenders )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Lavender is a garden plant with sweet-smelling, bluish-purple flowers.
2 COLOUR Lavender is used to describe things that are pale bluish-purple in colour.
lav|ish /læ v I ʃ/ (lavishes , lavishing , lavished )
1 ADJ If you describe something as lavish , you mean that it is very elaborate and impressive and a lot of money has been spent on it. □ …a lavish party to celebrate Bryan's fiftieth birthday. □ He staged the most lavish productions of Mozart. ● lav|ish|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …the train's lavishly furnished carriages.
2 ADJ If you say that spending, praise, or the use of something is lavish , you mean that someone spends a lot or that something is praised or used a lot. □ Critics attack his lavish spending and flamboyant style. □ The book drew lavish praise from literary critics.
3 ADJ If you say that someone is lavish in the way they behave, you mean that they give, spend, or use a lot of something. □ [+ in ] American reviewers are lavish in their praise of this book. □ He was always a lavish spender. [Also + with ] ● lav|ish|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Entertaining in style needn't mean spending lavishly.
4 VERB If you lavish money, affection, or praise on someone or something, you spend a lot of money on them or give them a lot of affection or praise. □ [V n + on/upon ] Prince Sadruddin lavished praise on Britain's contributions to world diplomacy. □ [V n + with ] The emperor promoted the general and lavished him with gifts.
law ◆◆◆ /lɔː / (laws )
1 N‑SING The law is a system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime, business agreements, and social relationships. You can also use the law to refer to the people who work in this system. □ Obscene and threatening phone calls are against the law. □ [+ on ] He had broken the law on election funding and illegally received money from abroad. □ There must be changes in the law to stop this sort of thing happening. □ The book analyses why women kill and how the law treats them.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu adj N ] Law is used to refer to a particular branch of the law, such as criminal law or company law . □ He was a professor of criminal law at Harvard University law school. □ Important questions of constitutional law were involved.
3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A law is one of the rules in a system of law which deals with a particular type of agreement, relationship, or crime. □ …the country's liberal political asylum law. □ The law was passed on a second vote.
4 N‑PLURAL The laws of an organization or activity are its rules, which are used to organize and control it. □ [+ of ] …the laws of the Church of England. □ [+ of ] Match officials should not tolerate such behaviour but instead enforce the laws of the game.
5 N‑COUNT A law is a rule or set of rules for good behaviour which is considered right and important by the majority of people for moral, religious, or emotional reasons. □ …inflexible moral laws.
6 N‑COUNT A law is a natural process in which a particular event or thing always leads to a particular result. □ The laws of nature are absolute.
7 N‑COUNT A law is a scientific rule that someone has invented to explain a particular natural process. □ [+ of ] …the law of gravity.
8 N‑UNCOUNT Law or the law is all the professions which deal with advising people about the law, representing people in court, or giving decisions and punishments. □ A career in law is becoming increasingly attractive to young people. □ Nearly 100 law firms are being referred to the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal.
9 N‑UNCOUNT Law is the study of systems of law and how laws work. □ He came to Oxford and studied law. □ He holds a law degree from Bristol University.
10 → see also court of law , rule of law
11 PHRASE If you accuse someone of thinking they are above the law , you criticize them for thinking that they are so clever or important that they do not need to obey the law. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ One opposition member of parliament accuses the government of wanting to be above the law.
12 PHRASE The law of averages is the idea that something is sure to happen at some time, because of the number of times it generally happens or is expected to happen. □ On the law of averages we just can't go on losing.
13 PHRASE If you have to do something by law or if you are not allowed to do something by law , the law states that you have to do it or that you are not allowed to do it. □ By law all restaurants must display their prices outside.
14 PHRASE If you say that someone lays down the law , you are critical of them because they give other people orders and they think that they are always right. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …traditional parents, who believed in laying down the law for their offspring.
15 PHRASE If someone takes the law into their own hands , they punish someone or do something to put a situation right, instead of waiting for the police or the legal system to take action. □ If sentences are too lenient, victims and their families may be inclined to take the law into their own hands.
16 PHRASE If you say that someone is a law unto himself or herself, you mean that they behave in an independent way, ignoring laws, rules, or conventional ways of doing things. □ Some of the landowners were a law unto themselves.
17 Sod's Law → see sod SYNONYMS law NOUN 3
constitution: …the American Constitution.
legislation: …a letter calling for legislation to protect women's rights.
code: …Article 159 of the Turkish penal code.
charter: …Article 50 of the United Nations Charter.
act: …an Act of Parliament.
la w-abiding ADJ [usu ADJ n] A law-abiding person always obeys the law and is considered to be good and honest because of this. □ The Prime Minister said: 'I am anxious that the law should protect decent law-abiding citizens and their property.'
la w and o r|der N‑UNCOUNT When there is law and order in a country, the laws are generally accepted and obeyed, so that society there functions normally. □ If there were a breakdown of law and order, the army might be tempted to intervene.
la w-breaker (law-breakers ) also lawbreaker N‑COUNT A law-breaker is someone who breaks the law.
la w-breaking also law breaking N‑UNCOUNT Law-breaking is any kind of illegal activity. □ Civil disobedience, violent or non-violent, is intentional law breaking.
la w court (law courts ) N‑COUNT A law court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate. □ She would never resort to the law courts to resolve her marital problems.
la w-enforcement N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Law-enforcement agencies or officials are responsible for catching people who break the law. [mainly AM ] □ We need to restore respect for the law-enforcement agencies.
law|ful /lɔː fʊl/ ADJ If an activity, organization, or product is lawful , it is allowed by law. [FORMAL ] □ It remains lawful to own these swords but not to carry them in public. □ Hunting is a lawful activity. ● law|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Amnesty International is trying to establish whether the police acted lawfully in shooting him.
law|less /lɔː ləs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Lawless actions break the law, especially in a wild and violent way. □ …lawless behaviour. ● law|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Lawlessness is a major problem.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A lawless place or time is one where people do not respect the law. □ …lawless inner-city streets plagued by muggings, thefts, assaults and even murder.
law|maker /lɔː me I kə r / (lawmakers ) N‑COUNT A lawmaker is someone such as a politician who is responsible for proposing and passing new laws. [AM ]
law|man /lɔː mæn/ (lawmen )
1 N‑COUNT Lawmen are men such as police officers or lawyers, whose work involves the law. [JOURNALISM ] □ …the 61-year-old lawman who headed the enquiry.
2 N‑COUNT In former times in western North America, a lawman was a sheriff or deputy sheriff. [AM ]
lawn /lɔː n/ (lawns ) N‑VAR A lawn is an area of grass that is kept cut short and is usually part of someone's garden or backyard, or part of a park.
lawn|mow|er /lɔː nmoʊə r / (lawnmowers ) also lawn mower N‑COUNT A lawnmower is a machine for cutting grass on lawns.
la wn ten|nis N‑UNCOUNT Lawn tennis is the same as tennis .
law|suit /lɔː suːt/ (lawsuits ) N‑COUNT A lawsuit is a case in a court of law which concerns a dispute between two people or organizations. [FORMAL ] □ [+ against ] The dispute culminated last week in a lawsuit against the government.
law|yer ◆◆◇ /lɔ I ə r / (lawyers ) N‑COUNT A lawyer is a person who is qualified to advise people about the law and represent them in court. □ Prosecution and defense lawyers are expected to deliver closing arguments next week. SYNONYMS lawyer NOUN
attorney: …a prosecuting attorney.
solicitor: You will need advice from a solicitor.
barrister: But their barristers pleaded for some leniency.
counsel: Singleton's counsel said after the trial that he would appeal.
advocate: The court will appoint a public advocate to represent your son.
lax /læ ks/ (laxer , laxest ) ADJ If you say that a person's behaviour or a system is lax , you mean they are not careful or strict about maintaining high standards. □ One of the problem areas is lax security for airport personnel. □ There have been allegations from survivors that safety standards had been lax. ● lax|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The laxity of export control authorities has made a significant contribution to the problem.
laxa|tive /læ ksət I v/ (laxatives )
1 N‑VAR A laxative is food or medicine that you take to make you go to the toilet. □ Foods that ferment quickly in the stomach are excellent natural laxatives.
2 ADJ A laxative food or medicine is one that you take to make you go to the toilet. □ The artificial sweetener sorbitol has a laxative effect. □ Molasses are mildly laxative and something of a general tonic.
lay
➊ VERB AND NOUN USES
➋ ADJECTIVE USES
➊ lay ◆◆◇ /le I / (lays , laying , laid ) In standard English, the form lay is also the past tense of the verb lie in some meanings. In informal English, people sometimes use the word lay instead of lie in those meanings. → Please look at categories 13 to 23 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB If you lay something somewhere, you put it there in a careful, gentle, or neat way. □ [V n prep/adv] Lay a sheet of newspaper on the floor. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] My father's working bench was covered with a cloth and his coffin was laid there. □ [V n prep/adv] Mothers routinely lay babies on their backs to sleep.
2 VERB If you lay the table or lay the places at a table, you arrange the knives, forks, and other things that people need on the table before a meal. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] The butler always laid the table. in AM, use set 3 VERB If you lay something such as carpets, cables, or foundations, you put them into their permanent position. □ [V n] A man came to lay the saloon carpet. □ [V n] Public utilities dig up roads to lay pipes.
4 VERB To lay a trap means to prepare it in order to catch someone or something. □ [V n] They were laying a trap for the kidnapper.
5 VERB When a female bird lays an egg, it produces an egg by pushing it out of its body. □ [V n] My canary has laid an egg. □ [V ] Freezing weather in spring hampered the hens' ability to lay.
6 VERB Lay is used with some nouns to talk about making official preparations for something. For example, if you lay the basis for something or lay plans for it, you prepare it carefully. □ [V n] Diplomats meeting in Chile have laid the groundwork for far-reaching environmental regulations. □ [V n] The organisers meet in March to lay plans.
7 VERB Lay is used with some nouns in expressions about accusing or blaming someone. For example, if you lay the blame for a mistake on someone, you say it is their fault, or if the police lay charges against someone, they officially accuse that person of a crime. □ [V n prep] She refused to lay the blame on any one party. □ [V n] Police have decided not to lay charges over allegations of a phone tapping operation.
8 PHRASE If you lay yourself open to criticism or attack, or if something lays you open to it, something you do makes it possible or likely that other people will criticize or attack you. □ The party thereby lays itself open to charges of conflict of interest. □ Such a statement could lay her open to ridicule.
9 to lay something bare → see bare
10 to lay claim to something → see claim
11 to lay something at someone's door → see door
12 to lay eyes on something → see eye
13 to lay a finger on someone → see finger
14 to lay your hands on something → see hand ➊
15 to lay down the law → see law
16 to lay down your life → see life
17 to lay something to rest → see rest ➋
18 to lay siege to something → see siege
▸ lay aside
1 PHRASAL VERB If you lay something aside , you put it down, usually because you have finished using it or want to save it to use later. □ [V n P ] He finished the tea and laid the cup aside. □ [V P n] This allowed Ms. Kelley to lay aside money to start her business.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you lay aside a feeling or belief, you reject it or give it up in order to progress with something. □ [V P n] We must be willing to lay aside prejudice, and actively learn to love one another. [Also V n P ]
▸ lay down
1 PHRASAL VERB If you lay something down , you put it down, usually because you have finished using it. □ [V n P ] Daniel finished the article and laid the newspaper down on his desk. □ [V P n] She laid down her knife and fork and pushed her plate away.
2 PHRASAL VERB If rules or people in authority lay down what people should do or must do, they officially state what they should or must do. □ [V P n] Taxis must conform to the rigorous standards laid down by the police.
3 PHRASAL VERB If someone lays down their weapons, they stop fighting a battle or war and make peace. □ [V P n] The drug-traffickers have offered to lay down their arms.
▸ lay in PHRASAL VERB If you lay in an amount of something, you buy it and store it to be used later. □ [V P n] They began to lay in extensive stores of food supplies.
▸ lay off
1 PHRASAL VERB If workers are laid off , they are told by their employers to leave their job, usually because there is no more work for them to do. [BUSINESS ] □ [be V -ed P ] 100,000 federal workers will be laid off to reduce the deficit. □ [V P n] They did not sell a single car for a month and had to lay off workers. [Also V n P ]
2 → see also layoff
▸ lay on PHRASAL VERB If you lay on something such as food, entertainment, or a service, you provide or supply it, especially in a generous or grand way. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] They laid on a superb evening. [Also V n P ]
▸ lay out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you lay out a group of things, you spread them out and arrange them neatly, for example so that they can all be seen clearly. □ [V P n] Grace laid out the knives and forks at the lunch-table. □ [V n P ] She took a deck of cards and began to lay them out.
2 PHRASAL VERB To lay out ideas, principles, or plans means to explain or present them clearly, for example in a document or a meeting. □ [V P n] Maxwell listened closely as Johnson laid out his plan. □ [V n P ] Cuomo laid it out in simple language.
3 PHRASAL VERB To lay out an area of land or a building means to plan and design how its different parts should be arranged. □ [V P n] When we laid out the car parks, we reckoned on one car per four families. □ [V n P ] Only people that use a kitchen all the time understand the best way to lay it out.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you lay out money on something, you spend a large amount of money on it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] You won't have to lay out a fortune for this dining table.
5 → see also layout
▸ lay up PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If someone is laid up with an illness, the illness makes it necessary for them to stay in bed. [INFORMAL ] □ [be V -ed P + with ] I was laid up in bed with acute rheumatism. □ [be V -ed P ] Powell ruptured a disc in his back and was laid up for a year.
➋ lay /le I /
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use lay to describe people who are involved with a Christian church but are not members of the clergy or are not monks or nuns. □ Edwards is a Methodist lay preacher and social worker.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use lay to describe people who are not experts or professionals in a particular subject or activity. □ It is difficult for a lay person to gain access to medical libraries.
lay|about /le I əbaʊt/ (layabouts ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a layabout , you disapprove of them because they do not work and you think they are lazy. [mainly BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ]
la y-by (lay-bys ) N‑COUNT A lay-by is a short strip of road by the side of a main road, where cars can stop for a while. [BRIT ] □ I left my car in a lay-by and set off on foot. in AM, use pull-off , turn-out
lay|er ◆◇◇ /le I ə r / (layers , layering , layered )
1 N‑COUNT A layer of a material or substance is a quantity or piece of it that covers a surface or that is between two other things. □ [+ of ] A fresh layer of snow covered the street. □ Arrange all the vegetables except the potatoes in layers.
2 N‑COUNT If something such as a system or an idea has many layers , it has many different levels or parts. □ [+ of ] …an astounding ten layers of staff between the factory worker and the chief executive. □ [+ of ] Critics and the public puzzle out the layers of meaning in his photos.
3 VERB If you layer something, you arrange it in layers. □ [V n] Layer the potatoes, asparagus and salmon in the tin.
lay|ered /le I ə r d/ ADJ Something that is layered is made or exists in layers. □ Maria wore a layered white dress that rustled when she moved.
lay|man /le I mən/ (laymen )
1 N‑COUNT A layman is a person who is not trained, qualified, or experienced in a particular subject or activity. □ To the layman, the words 'heart failure' suggest imminent death.
2 N‑COUNT A layman is a man who is involved with the Christian church but is not a member of the clergy or a monk. □ In 1932, one Boston layman wrote to Archbishop William O'Connell in support of Father Coughlin.
lay|off /le I ɒf, [AM ] -ɔːf/ (layoffs )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] When there are layoffs in a company, workers are told by their employers to leave their job, usually because there is no more work for them in the company. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] Store closures will result in layoffs of an estimated 2,000 employees.
2 N‑COUNT A layoff is a period of time in which people do not work or take part in their normal activities, often because they are resting or are injured. □ They both made full recoveries after lengthy injury layoffs.
lay|out /le I aʊt/ (layouts ) N‑COUNT The layout of a garden, building, or piece of writing is the way in which the parts of it are arranged. □ [+ of ] He tried to recall the layout of the farmhouse. □ This boat has a good deck layout making everything easy to operate.
la y per|son (lay persons or lay people ) also layperson N‑COUNT A lay person is a person who is not trained, qualified, or experienced in a particular subject or activity.
laze /le I z/ (lazes , lazing , lazed ) VERB If you laze somewhere for a period of time, you relax and enjoy yourself, not doing any work or anything else that requires effort. □ [V ] Fred lazed in an easy chair. □ [V prep] They used the swimming-pool, rode, lazed in the deep shade of the oaks in the heat of the day. ● PHRASAL VERB Laze around or laze about means the same as laze . □ [V P ] He went to Spain for nine months, to laze around and visit relations. □ [V P ] I was happy enough to laze about on the beach.
lazy /le I zi/ (lazier , laziest )
1 ADJ If someone is lazy , they do not want to work or make any effort to do anything. □ Lazy and incompetent police officers are letting the public down. □ [+ to-inf] I was too lazy to learn how to read music. ● la|zi|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Current employment laws will be changed to reward effort and punish laziness.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use lazy to describe an activity or event in which you are very relaxed and which you do or take part in without making much effort. □ Her latest novel is perfect for a lazy summer's afternoon reading. □ We would have a lazy lunch and then lie on the beach in the sun. ● la|zi|ly /le I z I li/ ADV [ADV with v] □ Liz went back into the kitchen, stretching lazily.
lb lb is a written abbreviation for pound , when it refers to weight. □ The baby was born three months early weighing only 3 lb 5 oz.
LCD /e l siː diː / (LCDs ) N‑COUNT An LCD is a display of information on a screen, which uses liquid crystals that become visible when electricity is passed through them. LCD is an abbreviation for 'liquid crystal display'.
lead
➊ BEING AHEAD OR TAKING SOMEONE SOMEWHERE
➋ SUBSTANCES
➊ lead ◆◆◆ /liː d/ (leads , leading , led )
→ Please look at categories 22 to 24 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB If you lead a group of people, you walk or ride in front of them. □ [V n] John Major and the Duke of Edinburgh led the mourners. □ [V n prep/adv] He walks with a stick but still leads his soldiers into battle. □ [V ] Tom was leading, a rifle slung over his back.
2 VERB If you lead someone to a particular place or thing, you take them there. □ [V n prep/adv] He took Dickon by the hand to lead him into the house. □ [V n] Leading the horse, Evandar walked to the door.
3 VERB If a road, gate, or door leads somewhere, you can get there by following the road or going through the gate or door. □ [V prep/adv] …the doors that led to the yard. □ [V prep/adv] …a short roadway leading to the car park.
4 VERB If you are leading at a particular point in a race or competition, you are winning at that point. □ [V ] He's leading in the presidential race. □ [V + by ] So far he leads by five wins to two. □ [V n] Aston Villa last led the League in March 1990.
5 N‑SING [oft in/into the N ] If you have the lead or are in the lead in a race or competition, you are winning. □ England took the lead after 31 minutes. □ Labour are still in the lead in the opinion polls.
6 N‑SING Someone's lead over a competitor at a particular point in a race or competition is the distance, amount of time, or number of points by which they are ahead of them. □ [+ for ] …a commanding lead for the opposition is clearly emerging throughout the country. □ His goal gave Forest a two-goal lead against Southampton. □ Sainz now has a lead of 28 points. [Also + over ]
7 VERB If one company or country leads others in a particular activity such as scientific research or business, it is more successful or advanced than they are in that activity. □ [V n] When it comes to pop music we not only lead Europe, we lead the world. □ [V n + in ] …foodstores such as Marks & Spencer, which led the market in microwaveable meals.
8 VERB If you lead a group of people, an organization, or an activity, you are in control or in charge of the people or the activity. □ [V n] Mr Mendes was leading a campaign to save Brazil's rainforest from exploitation.
9 N‑COUNT If you give a lead , you do something new or develop new ideas or methods that other people consider to be a good example or model to follow. □ [+ in ] The American and Japanese navies took the lead in the development of naval aviation. □ Over the next 150 years, many others followed his lead.
10 VERB You can use lead when you are saying what kind of life someone has. For example, if you lead a busy life, your life is busy. □ [V n] She led a normal, happy life with her sister and brother.
11 VERB If something leads to a situation or event, usually an unpleasant one, it begins a process which causes that situation or event to happen. □ [V + to ] Ethnic tensions among the republics could lead to civil war. □ [V + to ] He warned yesterday that a pay rise for teachers would lead to job cuts.
12 VERB If something leads you to do something, it influences or affects you in such a way that you do it. □ [V n to-inf] His abhorrence of racism led him to write The Algiers Motel Incident. □ [V n to-inf] What was it ultimately that led you to leave Sarajevo for Zagreb?
13 VERB If you say that someone or something led you to think something, you mean that they caused you to think it, although it was not true or did not happen. □ [V n to-inf] Mother had led me to believe the new baby was a kind of present for me. □ [be V -ed to-inf] It was not as straightforward as we were led to believe.
14 VERB If you lead a conversation or discussion, you control the way that it develops so that you can introduce a particular subject. □ [V n adv/prep] After a while I led the conversation around to her job. □ [V n] He planned to lead the conversation and keep Matt from changing the subject.
15 VERB You can say that one point or topic in a discussion or piece of writing leads you to another in order to introduce a new point or topic that is linked with the previous one. □ [V n + to ] Well, I think that leads me to the real point.
16 N‑COUNT A lead is a piece of information or an idea which may help people to discover the facts in a situation where many facts are not known, for example in the investigation of a crime or in a scientific experiment. □ The inquiry team is also following up possible leads after receiving 400 calls from the public.
17 N‑COUNT The lead in a play, film, or show is the most important part in it. The person who plays this part can also be called the lead . □ Performers from the Bolshoi Ballet dance the leads. □ Both the leads in the play are impressive.
18 N‑COUNT A dog's lead is a long, thin chain or piece of leather which you attach to the dog's collar so that you can control the dog. [mainly BRIT ] □ An older man came out with a little dog on a lead. in AM, use leash 19 N‑COUNT A lead in a piece of equipment is a piece of wire covered in plastic which supplies electricity to the equipment or carries it from one part of the equipment to another.
20 N‑SING [oft N n] The lead story or lead in a newspaper or on the television or radio news is the most important story. □ [+ in ] The economic situation makes the lead in tomorrow's Guardian. □ Cossiga's reaction is the lead story in the Italian press.
21 → see also leading , -led
22 to lead someone astray → see astray
23 one thing led to another → see thing
24 to lead the way → see way
▸ lead off
1 PHRASAL VERB If a door, room, or path leads off a place or leads off from a place, you can go directly from that place through that door, into that room, or along that path. □ [V P n] There were two doors leading off the central room. □ [V P + from ] The treatment rooms lead off from the swimming pool. □ [V P prep] A corridor led off to the left.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone leads off in an activity, meeting, or conversation, they start it. □ [V P ] Whenever there was a dance he and I led off. □ [V P n] Boren surprisingly led off the most intensive line of questioning today.
▸ lead on PHRASAL VERB If someone leads you on , they encourage you to do something, especially by pretending that something is true. □ [V n P ] I bet she led him on–but how could he be so weak?
▸ lead up to
1 PHRASAL VERB The events that led up to a particular event happened one after the other until that event occurred. □ [V P P n] Alan Tomlinson has reconstructed the events that led up to the deaths. □ [V P P n] They had a series of arguments, leading up to a decision to separate.
2 → see also lead-up
3 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] The period of time leading up to an event is the period of time immediately before it happens. □ [V P P n] …the weeks leading up to Christmas.
4 PHRASAL VERB If someone leads up to a particular subject, they gradually guide a conversation to a point where they can introduce it. □ [V P P n] I'm leading up to something quite important.
➋ lead /le d/ (leads )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Lead is a soft, grey, heavy metal. □ …drinking water supplied by old-fashioned lead pipes.
2 N‑COUNT The lead in a pencil is the centre part of it which makes a mark on paper.
lead|ed /le d I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Leaded petrol has had lead added to it. □ Japanese refiners stopped producing leaded petrol in December 1987.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Leaded windows are made of small pieces of glass held together by strips of lead.
lead|en /le d ə n/
1 ADJ A leaden sky or sea is dark grey and has no movement of clouds or waves. [LITERARY ] □ The weather was at its worst; bitterly cold, with leaden skies that gave minimum visibility.
2 ADJ A leaden conversation or piece of writing is not very interesting. □ …a leaden English translation from the Latin.
3 ADJ If your movements are leaden , you move slowly and heavily, usually because you are tired. [LITERARY ] □ He heard the father's leaden footsteps move down the stairs.
lead|er ◆◆◆ /liː də r / (leaders )
1 N‑COUNT [n N ] The leader of a group of people or an organization is the person who is in control of it or in charge of it. □ [+ of ] We now need a new leader of the party and a new style of leadership. □ We are going to hold a rally next month to elect a new leader.
2 N‑COUNT The leader at a particular point in a race or competition is the person who is winning at that point. □ The world drivers' championship leader crossed the line ahead of the Swede.
3 N‑COUNT The leader among a range of products or companies is the one that is most successful. □ [+ in ] Procter & Gamble is the leader in the mass market cosmetics industry.
4 N‑COUNT A leader in a newspaper is a piece of writing which gives the editor's opinion on an important news item. [BRIT ] in AM, use editorial 5 N‑COUNT A leader in a newspaper is the most important story in it. [AM ] in BRIT, use lead , lead story COLLOCATIONS leader NOUN 1
noun + leader : church, community, council, team, union; opposition, party, world; business, industry; division, group, league
adjective + leader : military, political, religious, spiritual, tribal; deputy
verb + leader : appoint, choose, elect SYNONYMS leader NOUN 1
boss: Occasionally I have to go and ask the boss for a rise.
chief: …a commission appointed by the police chief.
head: …the head waiter.
captain: …Mickey Thomas, the captain of Wrexham football club.
commander: The commander and some of the men had been released.
director: …the director of the intensive care unit at Guy's Hospital.
lead|er|board /li ːdə r bɔ r d/ N‑SING The leaderboard is a board that shows the names and positions of the leading competitors in a competition, especially a golf tournament.
lead|er|ship ◆◆◇ /liː də r ʃ I p/ (leaderships )
1 N‑COUNT You refer to people who are in control of a group or organization as the leadership . □ He is expected to hold talks with both the Croatian and Slovenian leaderships. □ [+ of ] …the Labour leadership of Haringey council in north London.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] Someone's leadership is their position or state of being in control of a group of people. □ He praised her leadership during the crisis.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Leadership refers to the qualities that make someone a good leader, or the methods a leader uses to do his or her job. □ What most people want to see is determined, decisive action and firm leadership.
lead-free /le d friː / ADJ Something such as petrol or paint which is lead-free , is made without lead, or has no lead added to it.
lead-in /liː d I n/ (lead-ins ) N‑COUNT A lead-in is something that is said or done as an introduction before the main subject or event, especially before a radio or television programme.
lead|ing ◆◆◇ /liː d I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] The leading person or thing in a particular area is the one which is most important or successful. □ …a leading member of Bristol's Sikh community.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] The leading role in a play or film is the main role. A leading lady or man is an actor who plays this role.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] The leading group, vehicle, or person in a race or procession is the one that is at the front. SYNONYMS leading ADJ 1
top: The President met this afternoon with his top military advisers.
main: …one of the main tourist areas of Amsterdam.
chief: The job went to one of her chief rivals.
major: Exercise has a major part to play in preventing and combating disease.
foremost: He was one of the world's foremost scholars of ancient Indian culture.
lea d|ing a r|ti|cle (leading articles )
1 N‑COUNT A leading article in a newspaper is a piece of writing which gives the editor's opinion on an important news item. [BRIT ] in AM, use editorial 2 N‑COUNT A leading article in a newspaper is the most important story in it. [AM ] in BRIT, use lead
lea d|ing e dge N‑SING The leading edge of a particular area of research or development is the area of it that seems most advanced or sophisticated. □ [+ of ] I think Israel tends to be at the leading edge of technological development. ● leading-edge ADJ □ …leading-edge technology.
lea d|ing li ght (leading lights ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a leading light in an organization, campaign, or community, you mean that they are one of the most important, active, enthusiastic, and successful people in it.
lea d|ing que s|tion (leading questions ) N‑COUNT A leading question is expressed in such a way that it suggests what the answer should be.
lead sing|er /liː d s I ŋə r / (lead singers ) N‑COUNT The lead singer of a pop group is the person who sings most of the songs.
lea d time (lead times )
1 N‑COUNT Lead time is the time between the original design or idea for a particular product and its actual production. [BUSINESS ] □ They aim to cut production lead times to under 18 months.
2 N‑COUNT Lead time is the period of time that it takes for goods to be delivered after someone has ordered them. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ on ] Lead times on new equipment orders can run as long as three years.
lead-up /liː d ʌp/ N‑SING The lead-up to an event is the things connected to that event that happen before it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ to ] The lead-up to the wedding was extremely interesting. in AM, usually use run-up
leaf ◆◇◇ /liː f/ (leaves , leafs , leafing , leafed )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft in/into N ] The leaves of a tree or plant are the parts that are flat, thin, and usually green. Many trees and plants lose their leaves in the winter and grow new leaves in the spring. □ [+ of ] In the garden, the leaves of the horse chestnut had already fallen. □ The Japanese maple that stands across the drive had just come into leaf.
2 → see also -leaved
3 N‑COUNT A leaf is one of the pieces of paper of which a book is made. □ [+ of ] He flattened the wrappers and put them between the leaves of his book.
4 PHRASE If you take a leaf from someone's book you behave in the same way as them because you want to be like that person or as successful as they are. □ Maybe we should take a leaf out of Branson's book. It's easy to see how he became a billionaire.
5 PHRASE If you say that you are going to turn over a new leaf , you mean that you are going to start to behave in a better or more acceptable way. □ He realized he was in the wrong and promised to turn over a new leaf.
▸ leaf through PHRASAL VERB If you leaf through something such as a book or magazine, you turn the pages without reading or looking at them very carefully. □ [V P n] Most patients derive enjoyment from leafing through old picture albums.
leaf|less /liː fləs/ ADJ If a tree or plant is leafless , it has no leaves.
leaf|let /liː flət/ (leaflets , leafleting , leafleted )
1 N‑COUNT A leaflet is a little book or a piece of paper containing information about a particular subject. □ [+ on ] Campaigners handed out leaflets on passive smoking.
2 VERB If you leaflet a place, you distribute leaflets there, for example by handing them to people, or by putting them through letter boxes. □ [V n] We've leafleted the university today to try to drum up some support. □ [V ] The only reason we leafleted on the Jewish New Year was because more people than usual go to the synagogue on that day.
lea f mould in AM, use leaf mold N‑UNCOUNT Leaf mould is a substance consisting of decayed leaves that is used to improve the soil.
leafy /liː fi/ (leafier , leafiest )
1 ADJ Leafy trees and plants have lots of leaves on them. □ His two-story brick home was graced with a patio and surrounded by tall, leafy trees.
2 ADJ You say that a place is leafy when there are lots of trees and plants there. □ …semi-detached homes with gardens in leafy suburban areas.
league ◆◆◇ /liː g/ (leagues )
1 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A league is a group of people, clubs, or countries that have joined together for a particular purpose, or because they share a common interest. □ [+ of ] …the League of Nations. □ …the World Muslim League.
2 N‑COUNT A league is a group of teams that play the same sport or activity against each other. □ …the American League series between the Boston Red Sox and World Champion Oakland Athletics. □ The club are on the brink of promotion to the Premier League.
3 N‑COUNT You use the word league to make comparisons between different people or things, especially in terms of their quality. □ Her success has taken her out of my league. □ Their record sales would put them in the same league as The Rolling Stones.
4 PHRASE If you say that someone is in league with another person to do something bad, you mean that they are working together to do that thing. □ [+ with ] There is no evidence that the broker was in league with the fraudulent vendor.
lea gue ta|ble (league tables ) N‑COUNT A league table is a list that shows how successful an organization such as a sports team or a business is when it is compared to other similar organizations. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …a league table of British schools ranked by exam results.
leak ◆◇◇ /liː k/ (leaks , leaking , leaked )
1 VERB If a container leaks , there is a hole or crack in it which lets a substance such as liquid or gas escape. You can also say that a container leaks a substance such as liquid or gas. □ [V ] The roof leaked. □ [V prep/adv] The pool's fiberglass sides had cracked and the water had leaked out. □ [V n + into ] A large diesel tank mysteriously leaked its contents into the river. [Also V n] ● N‑COUNT Leak is also a noun. □ It's thought a gas leak may have caused the blast.
2 N‑COUNT A leak is a crack, hole, or other gap that a substance such as a liquid or gas can pass through. □ [+ in ] …a leak in the radiator. □ [+ in ] In May engineers found a leak in a hydrogen fuel line.
3 VERB If a secret document or piece of information leaks or is leaked , someone lets the public know about it. □ [V n + to ] Last year, a civil servant was imprisoned for leaking a document to the press. □ [V n] He revealed who leaked a confidential police report. □ [V ] We don't know how the transcript leaked. □ [V -ed] …a leaked report. ● N‑COUNT Leak is also a noun. □ Leaks involving national security will be investigated by the police. ● PHRASAL VERB Leak out means the same as leak . □ [V P ] More details are now beginning to leak out. □ [V P + to ] He said it would leak out to the newspapers and cause a scandal. COLLOCATIONS leak NOUN
1
noun + leak : gas, oil, radiation, water; apparent, minor
adjective + leak : radioactive, toxic
verb + leak : investigate; cause, spring; isolate, prevent, stop
3
adjective + leak : damaging, embarrassing, serious; alleged, apparent VERB
1
leak + noun : gas, oil, water
noun + leak : pipe, roof, tap, valve
3
leak + noun : details, information, security; document, email, memo
leak + adverb : accidentally, allegedly, deliberately
leak|age /liː k I dʒ/ (leakages ) N‑VAR A leakage is an amount of liquid or gas that is escaping from a pipe or container by means of a crack, hole, or other fault. □ A leakage of kerosene has polluted water supplies. □ [+ from ] It should be possible to reduce leakage from pipes.
leak|er /liː kə r / (leakers ) N‑COUNT A leaker is someone who lets people know secret information. [JOURNALISM ] □ He found no direct evidence to identify a leaker.
leaky /liː ki/ (leakiest ) ADJ Something that is leaky has holes, cracks, or other faults which allow liquids and gases to pass through. □ …the cost of repairing the leaky roof.
lean ◆◇◇ /liː n/ (leans , leaning , leaned or leant , leaner , leanest ) American English uses the form leaned as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either leaned or leant . 1 VERB When you lean in a particular direction, you bend your body in that direction. □ [V adv/prep] Eileen leaned across and opened the passenger door. □ [V adv/prep] They stopped to lean over a gate.
2 VERB If you lean on or against someone or something, you rest against them so that they partly support your weight. If you lean an object on or against something, you place the object so that it is partly supported by that thing. □ [V adv] She was feeling tired and was glad to lean against him. □ [V n adv/prep] Lean the plants against a wall and cover the roots with peat.
3 ADJ If you describe someone as lean , you mean that they are thin but look strong and healthy. [APPROVAL ] □ Like most athletes, she was lean and muscular. □ She watched the tall, lean figure step into the car.
4 ADJ If meat is lean , it does not have very much fat. □ It is a beautiful meat, very lean and tender.
5 ADJ If you describe an organization as lean , you mean that it has become more efficient and less wasteful by getting rid of staff, or by dropping projects which were unprofitable. □ The value of the pound will force British companies to be leaner and fitter.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe periods of time as lean , you mean that people have less of something such as money or are less successful than they used to be. □ …the lean years of the 1930s. □ With fewer tourists in town, the taxi trade is going through its leanest patch for 30 years.
▸ lean on or lean upon PHRASAL VERB If you lean on someone or lean upon them, you depend on them for support and encouragement. □ [V P n] She leaned on him to help her to solve her problems.
▸ lean towards PHRASAL VERB If you lean towards or lean toward a particular idea, belief, or type of behaviour, you have a tendency to think or act in a particular way. □ [V P n] Most scientists would probably lean toward this viewpoint. SYNONYMS lean VERB 1
bend: I bent over and kissed her cheek.
tip: He leaned away from her, and she had to tip her head back to see him.
incline: Jack inclined his head very slightly.
lean|ing /liː n I ŋ/ (leanings ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your particular leanings are the beliefs, ideas, or aims you hold or a tendency you have towards them. □ Many companies are wary of their socialist leanings. □ [+ towards ] I always had a leaning towards sport.
lea n ma nu|fa c|tur|ing N‑UNCOUNT Lean manufacturing is a manufacturing method which aims to reduce wastage, for example by keeping stocks low and by working more flexibly. [BUSINESS ] □ …efficiency-raising techniques such as lean manufacturing.
lea n pro|du c|tion N‑UNCOUNT Lean production is the same as lean manufacturing . [BUSINESS ] □ …Japanese-style lean production techniques.
leant /le nt/ Leant is one of the forms of the past tense and past participle of lean . [BRIT ]
lea n-to (lean-tos ) N‑COUNT A lean-to is a building such as a shed or garage which is attached to one wall of a larger building, and which usually has a sloping roof.
leap ◆◇◇ /liː p/ (leaps , leaping , leaped or leapt ) British English usually uses the form leapt as the past tense and past participle. American English usually uses leaped . 1 VERB If you leap , you jump high in the air or jump a long distance. □ [V prep/adv] He had leapt from a window in the building and escaped. □ [V ] The man threw his arms out as he leapt. ● N‑COUNT Leap is also a noun. □ [+ of ] He won the championship with a leap of 2.37 metres.
2 VERB If you leap somewhere, you move there suddenly and quickly. □ [V prep/adv] The two men leaped into the jeep and roared off. □ [V prep/adv] With a terrible howl, he leapt forward and threw himself into the water.
3 VERB If a vehicle leaps somewhere, it moves there in a short sudden movement. □ [V adv/prep] The car leapt forward.
4 N‑COUNT A leap is a large and important change, increase, or advance. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ in ] The result has been a giant leap in productivity. □ [+ from ] …the leap in the unemployed from 35,000 to 75,000. □ Contemporary art has taken a huge leap forward in the last five or six years.
5 VERB If you leap to a particular place or position, you make a large and important change, increase, or advance. □ [V prep] The team leapt to 12th in the table.
6 VERB If you leap at a chance or opportunity, you accept it quickly and eagerly. □ [V + at ] The post of principal of the theatre school became vacant and he leapt at the chance.
7 PHRASE You can use in leaps and bounds or by leaps and bounds to emphasize that someone or something is improving or increasing quickly and greatly. [EMPHASIS ] □ He's improved in leaps and bounds this season. □ The total number of species on the planet appears to be growing by leaps and bounds.
leap|frog /liː pfrɒg, [AM ] -frɔːg/ (leapfrogs , leapfrogging , leapfrogged )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Leapfrog is a game which children play, in which a child bends over, while others jump over their back.
2 VERB If one group of people leapfrogs into a particular position or leapfrogs someone else, they use the achievements of another person or group in order to make advances of their own. □ [V prep] It is already obvious that all four American systems have leapfrogged over the European versions. □ [V n] American researchers have now leapfrogged the Japanese and are going to produce a digital system within a year or two.
lea p of fai th (leaps of faith ) N‑COUNT If you take a leap of faith , you do something even though you are not sure it is right or will succeed. □ Take a leap of faith and trust them.
leapt /le pt/ Leapt is a past tense and past participle of leap .
lea p year (leap years ) N‑COUNT A leap year is a year which has 366 days. The extra day is the 29th February. There is a leap year every four years.
learn ◆◆◆ /lɜː r n/ (learns , learning , learned or learnt ) American English uses the form learned as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either learned or learnt . 1 VERB If you learn something, you obtain knowledge or a skill through studying or training. □ [V n] Their children were going to learn English. □ [V to-inf] He is learning to play the piano. □ [V wh] …learning how to use new computer systems. □ [V ] Experienced teachers help you learn quickly. [Also V + about ] ● learn|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a bilingual approach to the learning of English.
2 VERB If you learn of something, you find out about it. □ [V + of ] It was only after his death that she learned of his affair with Betty. □ [V that] Later I learnt that the house was to be sold. □ [V wh] …the Admiral, who, on learning who I was, wanted to meet me.
3 VERB If people learn to behave or react in a particular way, they gradually start to behave in that way as a result of a change in attitudes. □ [V to-inf] You have to learn to face your problem. □ [V wh-to-inf] We are learning how to confront death instead of avoiding its reality.
4 VERB If you learn from an unpleasant experience, you change the way you behave so that it does not happen again or so that, if it happens again, you can deal with it better. □ [V + from ] I am convinced that he has learned from his mistakes. □ [V n + from ] The company failed to learn any lessons from this experience.
5 VERB If you learn something such as a poem or a role in a play, you study or repeat the words so that you can remember them. □ [V n] He learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.
6 → see also learned , learning
7 to learn the ropes → see rope
learn|ed /lɜː r n I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A learned person has gained a lot of knowledge by studying. □ He is a serious scholar, a genuinely learned man.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Learned books or papers have been written by someone who has gained a lot of knowledge by studying. □ This learned book should start a real debate on Western policy towards the Baltics.
3 → see also learn
learn|er /lɜː r nə r / (learners ) N‑COUNT A learner is someone who is learning about a particular subject or how to do something. □ …a new aid for younger children or slow learners.
learn|ing /lɜː r n I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Learning is the process of gaining knowledge through studying. □ The brochure described the library as the focal point of learning on the campus.
2 → see also learn , seat of learning
lea rn|ing curve (learning curves ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A learning curve is a process where people develop a skill by learning from their mistakes. A steep learning curve involves learning very quickly. □ Both he and the crew are on a steep learning curve.
lea rn|ing dif|fi|cul|ty (learning difficulties ) N‑COUNT If someone has a learning difficulty , they have a condition that makes it difficult for them to learn as quickly or in the same way as most other people. □ The method helps people with coordination problems and learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.
learnt /lɜː r nt/ Learnt is a past tense and past participle of learn . [BRIT ]
lease ◆◇◇ /liː s/ (leases , leasing , leased )
1 N‑COUNT A lease is a legal agreement by which the owner of a building, a piece of land, or something such as a car allows someone else to use it for a period of time in return for money. □ [+ on ] He took up a 10 year lease on the house at Rossie Priory.
2 VERB If you lease property or something such as a car from someone or if they lease it to you, they allow you to use it in return for regular payments of money. □ [V n] He went to Toronto, where he leased an apartment. □ [V n + to ] She hopes to lease the building to students. □ [V n n] He will need more grazing land and perhaps La Prade could lease him a few acres.
3 PHRASE If you say that someone or something has been given a new lease of life , you are emphasizing that they are much more lively or successful than they have been in the past. □ The operation has given me a new lease of life.
lease|hold /liː shoʊld/
1 ADJ If a building or land is described as leasehold , it is allowed to be used in return for payment according to the terms of a lease. [mainly BRIT ] □ I went into a leasehold property at four hundred and fifty pounds rent per year.
2 N‑COUNT If you have the leasehold of a building or piece of land, you have the legal right to use it for a period of time as arranged according to a lease. [mainly BRIT ]
lease|holder /liː shoʊldə r / (leaseholders ) N‑COUNT A leaseholder is a person who is allowed to use a property according to the terms of a lease. [mainly BRIT ]
leash /liː ʃ/ (leashes ) N‑COUNT A dog's leash is a long thin piece of leather or a chain, which you attach to the dog's collar so that you can keep the dog under control. □ All dogs in public places should be on a leash.
least ◆◆◆ /liː st/ Least is often considered to be the superlative form of little .
1 PHRASE You use at least to say that a number or amount is the smallest that is possible or likely and that the actual number or amount may be greater. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used. □ Aim to have at least half a pint of milk each day. □ You should use this mouthwash several times a day – twice at the very least.
2 PHRASE You use at least to say that something is the minimum that is true or possible. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used. □ She could take a nice holiday at least. □ At the least, I needed some sleep. □ His possession of classified documents in his home was, at the very least, a violation of Navy security regulations.
3 PHRASE You use at least to indicate an advantage that exists in spite of the disadvantage or bad situation that has just been mentioned. □ We've no idea what his state of health is but at least we know he is still alive. □ If something awful happens to you at least you can write about it.
4 PHRASE You use at least to indicate that you are correcting or changing something that you have just said. □ It's not difficult to get money for research or at least it's not always difficult.
5 ADJ You use the least to mean a smaller amount than anyone or anything else, or the smallest amount possible. □ I try to offend the least amount of people possible. □ If you like cheese, go for the ones with the least fat. ● PRON Least is also a pronoun. □ On education funding, Japan performs best but spends the least per student. ● ADV Least is also an adverb. □ Damming the river may end up benefitting those who need it the least.
6 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You use least to indicate that someone or something has less of a particular quality than most other things of its kind. □ He is the youngest and least experienced player in the team.
7 ADJ You use the least to emphasize the smallness of something, especially when it hardly exists at all. [EMPHASIS ] □ I don't have the least idea of what you're talking about. □ They neglect their duty at the least hint of fun elsewhere.
8 ADV [ADV with v] You use least to indicate that something is true or happens to a smaller degree or extent than anything else or at any other time. □ He had a way of throwing her off guard with his charm when she least expected it.
9 ADJ You use least in structures where you are emphasizing that a particular situation or event is much less important or serious than other possible or actual ones. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] Having to get up at three o'clock every morning was the least of her worries. □ [+ of ] At that moment, they were among the least of the concerns of the government.
10 PRON You use the least in structures where you are stating the minimum that should be done in a situation, and suggesting that more should really be done. □ Well, the least you can do, if you won't help me yourself, is to tell me where to go instead. □ The least his hotel could do is provide a little privacy.
11 PHRASE You can use in the least and the least bit to emphasize a negative. [EMPHASIS ] □ I'm not like that at all. Not in the least. □ I'm not in the least bit touched by the Marilyn Monroe kind of beauty. □ Alice wasn't the least bit frightened.
12 PHRASE You use last but not least to say that the last person or thing to be mentioned is as important as all the others. □ …her four sons, Christopher, twins Daniel and Nicholas, and last but not least 2-year-old Jack.
13 PHRASE You can use least of all after a negative statement to emphasize that it applies especially to the person or thing mentioned. [EMPHASIS ] □ No one ever reads these articles, least of all me. □ Such a speech should never have been made, least of all by a so called responsible politician.
14 PHRASE You can use not least to emphasize a particularly important example or reason. [EMPHASIS ] □ Dieting can be bad for you, not least because it is a cause of stress. □ Everyone is more reluctant to travel these days, not least the Americans.
15 PHRASE You can use to say the least to suggest that a situation is actually much more extreme or serious than you say it is. [EMPHASIS ] □ Accommodation was basic to say the least. □ Some members of the public can be a bit abusive to say the least.
leath|er ◆◇◇ /le ðə r / (leathers ) N‑VAR Leather is treated animal skin which is used for making shoes, clothes, bags, and furniture. □ He wore a leather jacket and dark trousers. □ …an impressive range of upholstered furniture, in a choice of fabrics and leathers.
leath|ery /le ðəri/ ADJ If the texture of something, for example someone's skin, is leathery , it is tough and hard, like leather.
leave ◆◆◆ /liː v/ (leaves , leaving , left )
1 VERB If you leave a place or person, you go away from that place or person. □ [V n] He would not be allowed to leave the country. □ [V n] I simply couldn't bear to leave my little girl. □ [V + in ] My flight leaves in less than an hour. □ [V + for ] The last of the older children had left for school.
2 VERB If you leave an institution, group, or job, you permanently stop attending that institution, being a member of that group, or doing that job. □ [V n] He left school with no qualifications. □ [V ] I am leaving to concentrate on writing fiction. □ [V -ing] …a leaving present.
3 VERB If you leave your husband, wife, or some other person with whom you have had a close relationship, you stop living with them or you finish the relationship. □ [V n] He'll never leave you. You need have no worry. □ [V n + for ] I would be insanely jealous if Bill left me for another woman. [Also V ]
4 VERB If you leave something or someone in a particular place, you let them remain there when you go away. If you leave something or someone with a person, you let them remain with that person so they are safe while you are away. □ [V n prep/adv] From the moment that Philippe had left her in the bedroom at the hotel, she had heard nothing of him. □ [V n + with ] Leave your key with a neighbour in case you lock yourself out one day.
5 VERB If you leave a message or an answer, you write it, record it, or give it to someone so that it can be found or passed on. □ [V n prep/adv] You can leave a message on our answering machine. □ [V n] Decide whether the ball is in square A, B, C, or D, then call and leave your answer. □ [V n + with ] I left my phone number with several people.
6 VERB If you leave someone doing something, they are doing that thing when you go away from them. □ [V n v-ing] Salter drove off, leaving Callendar surveying the scene.
7 VERB If you leave someone to do something, you go away from them so that they do it on their own. If you leave someone to himself or herself, you go away from them and allow them to be alone. □ [V n to-inf] I'd better leave you to get on with it, then. □ [V n to it ] Diana took the hint and left them to it. □ [be V -ed + to ] One of the advantages of a department store is that you are left to yourself to try things on. [Also V n to pron-refl]
8 VERB To leave an amount of something means to keep it available after the rest has been used or taken away. □ [V n + for ] He always left a little food for the next day. □ [V n n] Double rooms at any of the following hotels should leave you some change from £150.
9 VERB If you take one number away from another, you can say that it leaves the number that remains. For example, five take away two leaves three.
10 VERB To leave someone with something, especially when that thing is unpleasant or difficult to deal with, means to make them have it or make them responsible for it. □ [V n + with ] …a crash which left him with a broken collar-bone.
11 VERB If an event leaves people or things in a particular state, they are in that state when the event has finished. □ [V n adj] …violent disturbances which have left at least ten people dead. □ [V n prep/adv] The documentary left me in a state of shock.
12 VERB If you leave food or drink, you do not eat or drink it, often because you do not like it. □ [V n] If you don't like the cocktail you ordered, just leave it and try a different one.
13 VERB If something leaves a mark, effect, or sign, it causes that mark, effect, or sign to remain as a result. □ [V n] A muscle tear will leave a scar after healing.
14 VERB If you leave something in a particular state, position, or condition, you let it remain in that state, position, or condition. □ [V n adj] He left the album open on the table. □ [V n adv/prep] I've left the car lights on. □ [V n v-ing] I left the engine running.
15 VERB If you leave a space or gap in something, you deliberately make that space or gap. □ [V n] Leave a gap at the top and bottom so air can circulate.
16 VERB If you leave a job, decision, or choice to someone, you give them the responsibility for dealing with it or making it. □ [V n + to ] Affix the blue airmail label and leave the rest to us. □ [V n + to ] The judge should not have left it to the jury to decide. □ [V n to-inf] For the moment, I leave you to take all decisions.
17 VERB If you say that something such as an arrangement or an agreement leaves a lot to another thing or person, you are critical of it because it is not adequate and its success depends on the other thing or person. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V amount + to ] The ceasefire leaves a lot to the goodwill of the forces involved.
18 VERB To leave someone with a particular course of action or the opportunity to do something means to let it be available to them, while restricting them in other ways. □ [V n n] This left me only one possible course of action. □ [be V -ed + with ] He was left with no option but to resign.
19 VERB If you leave something until a particular time, you delay doing it or dealing with it until then. □ [V n + until/to ] Don't leave it all until the last minute. ● PHRASE If you leave something too late , you delay doing it so that when you eventually do it, it is useless or ineffective. □ I hope I haven't left it too late.
20 VERB If you leave a particular subject, you stop talking about it and start discussing something else. □ [V n] I think we'd better leave the subject of Nationalism. □ [V n prep/adv] He suggested we get together for a drink sometime. I said I'd like that, and we left it there.
21 VERB If you leave property or money to someone, you arrange for it to be given to them after you have died. □ [V n + to ] He died two and a half years later, leaving everything to his wife.
22 N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] Leave is a period of time when you are not working at your job, because you are on holiday or vacation, or for some other reason. If you are on leave , you are not working at your job. □ Why don't you take a few days' leave? □ …maternity leave. □ He is home on leave from the Navy.
23 → see also left ➊
24 PHRASE If you leave someone or something alone , or if you leave them be , you do not pay them any attention or bother them. □ Some people need to confront a traumatic past; others find it better to leave it alone. □ Why can't you leave him be?
25 PHRASE If something continues from where it left off , it starts happening again at the point where it had previously stopped. □ As soon as the police disappear the violence will take up from where it left off.
26 to leave a lot to be desired → see desire
27 to leave someone to their own devices → see device
28 to take leave of your senses → see sense
29 take it or leave it → see take ➋
▸ leave behind
1 PHRASAL VERB If you leave someone or something behind , you go away permanently from them. □ [V n P ] He decided he must take his family with him as it was too dangerous to leave them behind. □ [V P n] I hated it at first because it meant leaving behind all my friends.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you leave behind an object or a situation, it remains after you have left a place. □ [V n P ] I don't want to leave anything behind. □ [V P n] A misty rain in the morning had left behind a coolness that would stay for hours.
3 PHRASAL VERB If a person, country, or organization is left behind , they remain at a lower level than others because they are not as quick at understanding things or developing. □ [be V -ed P ] We're going to be left behind by the rest of the world. □ [get V -ed P ] I got left behind at school with the maths. □ [V n P ] Inflation has left them way behind.
▸ leave off
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something is left off a list, they are not included on that list. □ [be V -ed P n] She has been deliberately left off the guest list. □ [V n P n] The judge left Walsh's name off the list of those he wanted arrested. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone leaves off doing something, they stop doing it. □ [V P v-ing] We all left off eating and stood about with bowed heads. □ [V P n] Some of the patients left off treatment.
▸ leave out PHRASAL VERB If you leave someone or something out of an activity, collection, discussion, or group, you do not include them in it. □ [V n P + of ] Some would question the wisdom of leaving her out of the team. □ [V P n] If you prefer mild flavours reduce or leave out the chilli. □ [V n P ] Now have we left any country out? ● PHRASE If someone feels left out , they feel sad because they are not included in a group or activity.
-leaved /-liːvd/ also -leafed COMB -leaved or -leafed combines with adjectives to form other adjectives which describe the type of leaves a tree or plant has. □ …broad-leaved trees. □ …very dense and small-leafed maples.
leav|en /le v ə n/ (leavens , leavening , leavened ) VERB If a situation or activity is leavened by or with something, it is made more interesting or cheerful. □ [be V -ed + by/with ] His mood of deep pessimism cannot have been leavened by his mode of transport–a black cab. □ [V n + by/with ] He found congenial officers who knew how to leaven war's rigours with riotous enjoyment. [Also V n]
lea ve of a b|sence (leaves of absence ) N‑VAR If you have leave of absence you have permission to be away from work for a certain period.
leaves /liː vz/ Leaves is the plural form of leaf , and the third person singular form of the present tense of leave .
Leba|nese /le bəniː z/ (Lebanese )
1 ADJ Lebanese means belonging or relating to Lebanon, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Lebanese is a Lebanese citizen, or a person of Lebanese origin.
lech|er /le tʃə r / (lechers ) N‑COUNT If you describe a man as a lecher , you disapprove of him because you think he behaves towards women in a way which shows he is only interested in them sexually. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
lech|er|ous /le tʃərəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a man as lecherous , you disapprove of him because he behaves towards women in a way which shows he is only interested in them sexually. [DISAPPROVAL ]
lech|ery /le tʃəri/ N‑UNCOUNT Lechery is the behaviour of men who are only interested in women sexually. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ His lechery made him the enemy of every self-respecting husband and father in the county.
lec|tern /le ktə r n/ (lecterns ) N‑COUNT A lectern is a high sloping desk on which someone puts their notes when they are standing up and giving a lecture.
lec|ture ◆◇◇ /le ktʃə r / (lectures , lecturing , lectured )
1 N‑COUNT A lecture is a talk someone gives in order to teach people about a particular subject, usually at a university or college. □ [+ by ] …a series of lectures by Professor Eric Robinson.
2 VERB If you lecture on a particular subject, you give a lecture or a series of lectures about it. □ [V + on/in ] She then invited him to Atlanta to lecture on the history of art. □ [V ] She has danced, choreographed, lectured and taught all over the world.
3 VERB If someone lectures you about something, they criticize you or tell you how they think you should behave. □ [V n + about/on ] He used to lecture me about getting too much sun. □ [V n] Chuck would lecture me, telling me to get a haircut. □ [V ] She was no longer interrogating but lecturing. [Also V n to-inf] ● N‑COUNT Lecture is also a noun. □ [+ on ] Our captain gave us a stern lecture on safety. SYNONYMS lecture NOUN 1
talk: I attended a talk on ancient Rome.
speech: She is due to make a speech on the economy next week.
seminar: We attended a series of half-day seminars on information technology.
lec|tur|er /le ktʃərə r / (lecturers ) N‑COUNT A lecturer is a teacher at a university or college. □ [+ in ] …a lecturer in law at Southampton University.
lec|ture|ship /le ktʃə r ʃ I p/ (lectureships ) N‑COUNT A lectureship is the position of lecturer at a university or college.
led /le d/ Led is the past tense and past participle of lead .
-led /-led/
1 COMB [usu ADJ n] -led combines with nouns to form adjectives which indicate that something is organized, directed, or controlled by a particular person or group. □ …the student-led democracy movement. □ …a German-led European consortium.
2 COMB -led combines with nouns to form adjectives which indicate that something is mainly caused or influenced by a particular factor. □ Their prosperity depends on export-led growth. □ …a market-led economy.
ledge /le dʒ/ (ledges )
1 N‑COUNT A ledge is a piece of rock on the side of a cliff or mountain, which is in the shape of a narrow shelf.
2 N‑COUNT A ledge is a narrow shelf along the bottom edge of a window. □ She had climbed onto the ledge outside his window.
ledg|er /le dʒə r / (ledgers ) N‑COUNT A ledger is a book in which a company or organization writes down the amounts of money it spends and receives. [BUSINESS ]
lee /liː / (lees )
1 N‑SING [with poss] The lee of a place is the shelter that it gives from the wind or bad weather. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the cathedral, which nestles in the lee of a hill beneath the town.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] In sailing, the lee side of a ship is the one that is away from the wind. [TECHNICAL ]
leech /liː tʃ/ (leeches )
1 N‑COUNT A leech is a small animal which looks like a worm and lives in water. Leeches feed by attaching themselves to other animals and sucking their blood.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a leech , you disapprove of them because they deliberately depend on other people, often making money out of them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They're just a bunch of leeches cadging off others!
leek /liː k/ (leeks ) N‑VAR Leeks are long thin vegetables which smell similar to onions. They are white at one end, have long light green leaves, and are eaten cooked.
leer /l I ə r / (leers , leering , leered ) VERB If someone leers at you, they smile in an unpleasant way, usually because they are sexually interested in you. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V prep/adv] Men were standing around, swilling beer and occasionally leering at passing females. □ [V ] He looked back at Kenworthy and leered. ● N‑COUNT Leer is also a noun. □ When I asked the clerk for my room key, he gave it to me with a leer.
leery /l I ə ri/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are leery of something, you are cautious and suspicious about it and try to avoid it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Executives say they are leery of the proposed system. □ [+ about ] They were leery about investing in a company controlled by a single individual.
2 ADJ If someone looks or smiles at you in a leery way, they look or smile at you in an unpleasant way, usually because they are sexually interested in you. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a leery grin.
lee|way /liː we I / N‑UNCOUNT Leeway is the freedom that someone has to take the action they want to or to change their plans. □ [+ to-inf] Rarely do schoolteachers have leeway to teach classes the way they want.
left
➊ REMAINING
➋ DIRECTION AND POLITICAL GROUPINGS
➊ left ◆◇◇ /le ft/
1 Left is the past tense and past participle of leave .
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If there is a certain amount of something left , or if you have a certain amount of it left , it remains when the rest has gone or been used. □ Is there any gin left? □ He's got plenty of money left. □ They still have six games left to play. ● PHRASE If there is a certain amount of something left over , or if you have it left over , it remains when the rest has gone or been used. □ So much income is devoted to monthly mortgage payments that nothing is left over. □ …a large bucket of cut flowers left over from the wedding.
➋ left ◆◆◆ /le ft/ The spelling Left is also used for meanings 3 and 4 . 1 N‑SING The left is one of two opposite directions, sides, or positions. If you are facing north and you turn to the left, you will be facing west. In the word 'to', the 't' is to the left of the 'o'. □ In Britain cars drive on the left. □ [+ of ] …the brick wall to the left of the conservatory. □ Beaufort Castle is on your left. ● ADV [ADV after v] Left is also an adverb. □ [+ at ] Turn left at the crossroads into Clay Lane.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Your left arm, leg, or ear, for example, is the one which is on the left side of your body. Your left shoe or glove is the one which is intended to be worn on your left foot or hand.
3 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] You can refer to people who support the political ideals of socialism as the left . They are often contrasted with the right , who support the political ideals of capitalism and conservatism. □ …the traditional parties of the Left.
4 N‑SING [usu to the N ] If you say that a person or political party has moved to the left , you mean that their political beliefs have become more left-wing. □ After Mrs Thatcher's first election victory in 1979, Labour moved sharply to the left.
le ft-cli ck (left-clicks , left-clicking , left-clicked ) VERB To left-click or to left-click on something means to press the left-hand button on a computer mouse. [COMPUTING ] □ [V + on ] When the menu has popped up you should left-click on one of the choices to make it operate.
le ft fie ld
1 N‑SING If you say that someone or something has come out of left field or is out in left field , you mean that they are untypical, unusual, or strange in some way. □ The question came out of left field, but Mary Ann wasn't really surprised. □ He is, like most theorists, out there in left field, ignoring the experimental evidence.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Left-field means slightly odd or unusual. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …a left-field cabaret act. □ Her parents were creative and left-field and wanted Polly to become a singer or a truck driver.
le ft-hand ADJ [ADJ n] If something is on the left-hand side of something, it is positioned on the left of it. □ The keys are in the back left-hand corner of the drawer.
le ft-hand dri ve ADJ [usu ADJ n] A left-hand drive vehicle has the steering wheel on the left side, and is designed to be used in countries where people drive on the right-hand side of the road.
le ft-ha nded ADJ Someone who is left-handed uses their left hand rather than their right hand for activities such as writing and sports and for picking things up. □ There is a place in London that supplies practically everything for left-handed people. ● ADV [ADV after v] Left-handed is also an adverb. □ My father thought that I'd be at a disadvantage if I wrote left-handed.
le ft-ha nder (left-handers ) N‑COUNT You can describe someone as a left-hander if they use their left hand rather than their right hand for activities such as writing and sports and for picking things up.
left|ism /le ft I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Leftism refers to the beliefs and behaviour of people who support socialist ideals. □ Franco's intention was to eliminate all traces of leftism and liberalism.
left|ist /le ft I st/ (leftists )
1 N‑COUNT Socialists and Communists are sometimes referred to as leftists . □ Two of the men were leftists and two were centrists. □ …Chilean leftists.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone, their ideals, or their activities as leftist , you mean that they support the ideas of socialism or communism. □ …an alliance of seven leftist parties. □ …extreme leftist ideas.
le ft-ju stify (left-justifies , left-justifying , left-justified ) VERB If printed text is left-justified , each line begins at the same distance from the left-hand edge of the page or column. □ [be V -ed] The data in the cells should be left-justified. [Also V , V n]
le ft lu g|gage N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Left luggage is used to refer to luggage that people leave at a special place in a railway station or an airport, and which they collect later. [BRIT ] □ …a left luggage locker at Victoria Station.
le ft-of-ce ntre in AM, use left of center ADJ [usu ADJ n] Left-of-centre people or political parties support political ideas which are closer to socialism than to capitalism.
left|over /le ftoʊvə r / (leftovers ) also left-over
1 N‑PLURAL You can refer to food that has not been eaten after a meal as leftovers . □ Refrigerate any leftovers.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use leftover to describe an amount of something that remains after the rest of it has been used or eaten. □ Leftover chicken makes a wonderful salad.
left|ward /le ftwə r d/ also leftwards ADJ [ADJ n] Leftward or leftwards means on or towards a political position that is closer to socialism than to capitalism. □ Their success does not necessarily reflect a leftward shift in politics. ● ADV [ADV after v] Leftward is also an adverb. □ He seemed to move leftward as he grew older.
le ft-wi ng ◆◇◇ The spelling left wing is used for meaning 2 . 1 ADJ Left-wing people have political ideas that are based on socialism. □ They said they would not be voting for him because he was too left-wing.
2 N‑SING The left wing of a group of people, especially a political party, consists of the members of it whose beliefs are closer to socialism than are those of its other members. □ The left-wing of the party is confident that the motion will be carried.
le ft-wi nger (left-wingers ) N‑COUNT A left-winger is a person whose political beliefs are close to socialism, or closer to them than most of the other people in the same group or party. □ We were accused of being militant left-wingers.
lefty /le fti/ (lefties ) also leftie
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you refer to someone as a lefty , you mean that they have socialist beliefs. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a large group of students and trendy lefties.
2 N‑COUNT A lefty is someone, especially a sports player, who is left-handed. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
leg ◆◆◇ /le g/ (legs )
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] A person or animal's legs are the long parts of their body that they use to stand on. □ He was tapping his walking stick against his leg. ● -legged /-leg I d/ COMB □ Her name was Sheila, a long-legged blonde. □ …a large four-legged animal.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The legs of a pair of trousers are the parts that cover your legs. □ He moved on through wet grass that soaked his trouser legs.
3 N‑COUNT [n N ] A leg of lamb, pork, chicken, or other meat is a piece of meat that consists of the animal's or bird's leg, especially the thigh. □ …a chicken leg. □ [+ of ] …a leg of mutton.
4 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] The legs of a table, chair, or other piece of furniture are the parts that rest on the floor and support the furniture's weight. □ [+ of ] His ankles were tied to the legs of the chair. ● -legged COMB □ …a three-legged stool.
5 N‑COUNT A leg of a long journey is one part of it, usually between two points where you stop. □ [+ of ] The first leg of the journey was by boat to Lake Naivasha in Kenya.
6 N‑COUNT A leg of a sports competition is one of a series of games that are played to find an overall winner. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] The Arsenal centre back scored in both legs of the Champions League qualifier .
7 PHRASE If you say that something or someone is on their last legs , you mean that the period of time when they were successful or strong is ending. [INFORMAL ] □ This relationship is on its last legs.
8 PHRASE If you are pulling someone's leg , you are teasing them by telling them something shocking or worrying as a joke. [INFORMAL ] □ Of course I won't tell them; I was only pulling your leg.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone does not have a leg to stand on , or hasn't got a leg to stand on , you mean that a statement or claim they have made cannot be justified or proved. [INFORMAL ] □ It's only my word against his, I know. So I don't have a leg to stand on.
10 an arm and a leg → see arm ➊
11 with your tail between your legs → see tail
lega|cy /le gəsi/ (legacies )
1 N‑COUNT A legacy is money or property which someone leaves to you when they die. □ You could make a real difference to someone's life by leaving them a generous legacy.
2 N‑COUNT [n N ] A legacy of an event or period of history is something which is a direct result of it and which continues to exist after it is over. □ [+ of ] …the legacy of inequality and injustice created by Apartheid.
le|gal ◆◆◇ /liː g ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Legal is used to describe things that relate to the law. □ He vowed to take legal action. □ …the British legal system. □ I sought legal advice on this. ● le|gal|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ There are reasons to doubt that a second trial is morally, legally or politically justified. □ It could be a bit problematic, legally speaking.
2 ADJ An action or situation that is legal is allowed or required by law. □ What I did was perfectly legal. □ …drivers who have more than the legal limit of alcohol. SYNONYMS legal ADJ 2
lawful: It was lawful for the doctors to treat her in the way they considered best.
allowed: Gifts like chocolates or flowers are allowed.
authorized: Entry into this area is for authorized personnel only.
le |gal ai d N‑UNCOUNT Legal aid is money given by the government or another organization to people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer.
le |gal hi gh (legal highs ) N‑COUNT A legal high is a drug that is taken because of its pleasant effects, but which is not illegal. □ The girl suffered a dangerous reaction after taking a legal high.
le|gal|ise /liː gəla I z/ → see legalize
le|gal|is|tic /liː gəl I st I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone's language or ideas are legalistic , you are criticizing them for paying too much attention to legal details. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …complicated legalistic language. □ …his fussily legalistic mind.
le|gal|ity /ligæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT If you talk about the legality of an action or situation, you are talking about whether it is legal or not. □ [+ of ] The auditor has questioned the legality of the contracts.
le|gal|ize /liː gəla I z/ (legalizes , legalizing , legalized ) in BRIT, also use legalise VERB If something is legalized , a law is passed that makes it legal. □ [be V -ed] Divorce was legalized in 1981. □ [V n] …the decision of the Georgian government to legalise multi-party elections. ● le|gali|za|tion /liː gəla I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the legalization of same-sex marriage.
le |gal te n|der N‑UNCOUNT Legal tender is money, especially a particular coin or banknote, which is officially part of a country's currency at a particular time.
leg|ate /le g I t/ (legates ) N‑COUNT A legate is a person who is the official representative of another person, especially the Pope's official representative in a country. [FORMAL ]
le|ga|tion /l I ge I ʃ ə n/ (legations )
1 N‑COUNT A legation is a group of government officials and diplomats who work in a foreign country and represent their government in that country. □ …a member of the U.S. legation.
2 N‑COUNT A legation is the building in which a legation works.
leg|end ◆◇◇ /le dʒ ə nd/ (legends )
1 N‑VAR A legend is a very old and popular story that may be true. □ [+ of ] …the legends of ancient Greece. □ The play was based on Irish legend.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a legend , you mean that they are very famous and admired by a lot of people. [APPROVAL ] □ …blues legends John Lee Hooker and B.B. King.
3 N‑VAR A legend is a story that people talk about, concerning people, places, or events that exist or are famous at the present time. □ The incident has since become a family legend. □ His frequent brushes with death are the stuff of legend among the press.
leg|end|ary /le dʒ ə ndri, [AM ] -deri/
1 ADJ If you describe someone or something as legendary , you mean that they are very famous and that many stories are told about them. □ …the legendary Jazz singer Adelaide Hall. □ His political skill is legendary.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A legendary person, place, or event is mentioned or described in an old legend. □ The hill is supposed to be the resting place of the legendary King Lud.
-legged /-leg I d/ → see leg
leg|gings /le g I ŋz/
1 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Leggings are close-fitting trousers, usually made out of a stretchy fabric, that are worn by women and girls.
2 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Leggings are an outer covering of leather or other strong material, often in the form of trousers, that you wear over your normal trousers in order to protect them. □ …a pair of leggings to slip on over your other clothes.
leg|gy /le gi/ ADJ If you describe someone, usually a woman, as leggy , you mean that they have very long legs and usually that you find this attractive. □ The leggy beauty was none other than our own Naomi Campbell.
leg|ible /le dʒ I b ə l/ ADJ Legible writing is clear enough to read. □ My handwriting isn't very legible. □ …a barely legible sign.
le|gion /liː dʒ ə n/ (legions )
1 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A legion is a large group of soldiers who form one section of an army. □ He joined the French Foreign Legion.
2 N‑COUNT A legion of people or things is a great number of them. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] His delightful sense of humour won him a legion of friends.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that things of a particular kind are legion , you mean that there are a great number of them. [FORMAL ] □ Ellie's problems are legion.
leg|is|late /le dʒ I sle I t/ (legislates , legislating , legislated ) VERB When a government or state legislates , it passes a new law. [FORMAL ] □ [V + against ] Most member countries have already legislated against excessive overtime. □ [V to-inf] You cannot legislate to change attitudes. □ [V n] …attempts to legislate a national energy strategy. [Also V ] [Also V + for/on ]
leg|is|la|tion ◆◇◇ /le dʒ I sle I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Legislation consists of a law or laws passed by a government. [FORMAL ] □ …a letter calling for legislation to protect women's rights.
leg|is|la|tive /le dʒ I slət I v, [AM ] -le I -/ ADJ [ADJ n] Legislative means involving or relating to the process of making and passing laws. [FORMAL ] □ Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process. □ …the country's highest legislative body.
leg|is|la|tor /le dʒ I sle I tə r / (legislators ) N‑COUNT A legislator is a person who is involved in making or passing laws. [FORMAL ] □ …an attempt to get U.S. legislators to change the system.
leg|is|la|ture /le dʒ I slətʃə r , [AM ] -le I -/ (legislatures ) N‑COUNT The legislature of a particular state or country is the group of people in it who have the power to make and pass laws. [FORMAL ] □ The Florida state legislature passed new gambling laws.
le|git /lədʒ I t/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe a person or thing as legit , you mean that they are in accordance with the law or with a particular set of rules and regulations. [INFORMAL ] □ I checked him out, he's legit. □ What is the point of going legit and getting married?
le|giti|mate /l I dʒ I t I mət/
1 ADJ Something that is legitimate is acceptable according to the law. □ The government will not seek to disrupt the legitimate business activities of the defendant. ● le|giti|ma|cy /l I dʒ I t I məsi/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The opposition parties do not recognise the political legitimacy of his government. ● le|giti|mate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The government has been legitimately elected by the people.
2 ADJ If you say that something such as a feeling or claim is legitimate , you think that it is reasonable and justified. □ That's a perfectly legitimate fear. □ The New York Times has a legitimate claim to be a national newspaper. ● le|giti|ma|cy N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] As if to prove the legitimacy of these fears, the Cabinet of Franz von Papen collapsed on December 2. ● le|giti|mate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ [+ with ] They could quarrel quite legitimately with some of my choices.
3 ADJ A legitimate child is one whose parents were married before he or she was born. □ We only married in order that the child should be legitimate.
le|giti|mize /l I dʒ I t I ma I z/ (legitimizes , legitimizing , legitimized ) The spellings legitimise in British English, and legitimatize in American English are also used. VERB To legitimize something, especially something bad, means to officially allow it, approve it, or make it seem acceptable. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They will accept no agreement that legitimizes the ethnic division of the country.
leg|less /le gləs/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A legless person or animal has no legs.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is legless , you mean that they are extremely drunk. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ They found the locals getting legless on tequila.
le g room N‑UNCOUNT Leg room is the amount of space, especially in a car or other vehicle, that is available in front of your legs. □ Tall drivers won't have enough leg room.
leg|ume /le gjuːm/ (legumes ) N‑COUNT People sometimes use legumes to refer to peas, beans, and other related vegetables. [TECHNICAL ]
lei|sure /le ʒə r , [AM ] liː ʒ-/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Leisure is the time when you are not working and you can relax and do things that you enjoy. □ …a relaxing way to fill my leisure time. □ …one of Britain's most popular leisure activities.
2 PHRASE If someone does something at leisure or at their leisure , they enjoy themselves by doing it when they want to, without hurrying. □ You will be able to stroll at leisure through the gardens. □ He could read all the national papers at his leisure.
lei |sure cen|tre (leisure centres ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A leisure centre is a large public building containing different facilities for leisure activities, such as a sports hall, a swimming pool, and rooms for meetings. [BRIT ]
lei|sured /le ʒə r d, [AM ] liː ʒ-/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Leisured people are people who do not work, usually because they are rich. □ …the leisured classes.
2 ADJ Leisured activities are done in a relaxed way or do not involve work. □ …this leisured life of reading and writing.
lei|sure|ly /le ʒə r li, [AM ] liː ʒ-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A leisurely action is done in a relaxed and unhurried way. □ Lunch was a leisurely affair. □ Tweed walked at a leisurely pace. ● ADV [ADV with v] Leisurely is also an adverb. □ We walked leisurely into the hotel.
leisure|wear /le ʒə r weə r , [AM ] liː ʒ-/ N‑UNCOUNT Leisurewear is informal clothing which you wear when you are not working, for example at weekends or on holiday. [BRIT , WRITTEN ] □ Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
leit|mo|tif /la I tmoʊtiːf/ (leitmotifs ) also leitmotiv N‑COUNT A leitmotif in something such as a book or film or in a person's life is an idea or an object which occurs again and again. [FORMAL ] □ The title of one of Dietrich's best-known songs could serve as the leitmotif for her life.
lem|ming /le m I ŋ/ (lemmings )
1 N‑COUNT A lemming is an animal that looks like a large rat with thick fur. Lemmings live in cold northern regions and sometimes travel in very large numbers.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you say that a large group of people are acting like lemmings , you are critical of them because they all follow each other into an action without thinking about it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The French crowds pour like lemmings down the motorway to Paris.
lem|on /le mən/ (lemons )
1 N‑VAR A lemon is a bright yellow fruit with very sour juice. Lemons grow on trees in warm countries. □ …a slice of lemon. □ …oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits. □ …lemon juice.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Lemon is a drink that tastes of lemons.
lem|on|ade /le məne I d/ (lemonades ) N‑VAR Lemonade is a colourless sweet fizzy drink. A drink that is made from lemons, sugar, and water and is not fizzy can also be referred to as lemonade . □ He was pouring ice and lemonade into tall glasses. ● N‑COUNT A glass of lemonade can be referred to as a lemonade . □ I'm going to get you a lemonade.
le m|on cu rd N‑UNCOUNT Lemon curd is a thick yellow food made from lemons. You spread it on bread or use it to fill cakes or pastries. [mainly BRIT ]
lem|on|grass /le məngrɑːs, -græs/ also lemon grass N‑UNCOUNT Lemongrass is a type of grass that grows in warm countries. It is used as a flavouring in food.
le m|on squeez|er (lemon squeezers ) N‑COUNT A lemon squeezer is an object used for squeezing juice out of lemons and oranges.
lem|ony /le məni/ ADJ Something that smells or tastes of lemons can be described as lemony .
le m|on ye l|low also lemon-yellow COLOUR Lemon yellow or lemon is used to describe things that are pale yellow in colour.
le|mur /liː mə r / (lemurs ) N‑COUNT A lemur is an animal that looks like a small monkey and has a long tail and a face similar to that of a fox.
lend ◆◇◇ /le nd/ (lends , lending , lent )
1 VERB When people or organizations such as banks lend you money, they give it to you and you agree to pay it back at a future date, often with an extra amount as interest. □ [V n] The bank is reassessing its criteria for lending money. □ [V n n] I had to lend him ten pounds to take his children to the pictures. □ [V ] …financial de-regulation that led to institutions being more willing to lend. [Also V n + to , V + to ] ● lend|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a financial institution that specializes in the lending of money. □ …a slump in bank lending.
2 VERB If you lend something that you own, you allow someone to have it or use it for a period of time. □ [V n n] Will you lend me your jacket for a little while? □ [V n + to ] He had lent the bungalow to the Conrads for a couple of weeks.
3 VERB If you lend your support to someone or something, you help them with what they are doing or with a problem that they have. □ [V n + to ] He was approached by the organisers to lend support to a benefit concert. □ [V n] Stipe attended yesterday's news conference to lend his support. [Also V n n]
4 VERB If something lends itself to a particular activity or result, it is easy for it to be used for that activity or to achieve that result. □ [V pron-refl + to ] The room lends itself well to summer eating with its light, airy atmosphere.
5 VERB If something lends a particular quality to something else, it adds that quality to it. □ [V n + to ] Enthusiastic applause lent a sense of occasion to the proceedings. □ [V n n] A more relaxed regime and regular work lends the inmates a dignity not seen in other prisons. [Also V n]
6 → see also lent
7 to lend an ear → see ear
8 to lend a hand → see hand ➊ SYNONYMS lend VERB 1
loan: He had kindly offered to loan us all the plants required for the exhibit.
advance: The bank advanced $1.2 billion to help the country with debt repayments.
lend|er /le ndə r / (lenders ) N‑COUNT A lender is a person or an institution that lends money to people. [BUSINESS ] □ …the six leading mortgage lenders.
le nd|ing li|brary (lending libraries ) N‑COUNT A lending library is a library from which the public are allowed to borrow books.
le nd|ing rate (lending rates ) N‑COUNT The lending rate is the rate of interest that you have to pay when you are repaying a loan. [BUSINESS ] □ The bank left its lending rates unchanged.
length ◆◆◇ /le ŋθ/ (lengths )
1 N‑VAR [oft with poss] The length of something is the amount that it measures from one end to the other along the longest side. □ It is about a metre in length. □ [+ of ] …the length of the fish. □ [+ of ] The plane had a wing span of 34ft and a length of 22ft.
2 N‑VAR [oft with poss] The length of something such as a piece of writing is the amount of writing that is contained in it. □ …a book of at least 100 pages in length. □ The length of a paragraph depends on the information it conveys.
3 N‑VAR [oft with poss] The length of an event, activity, or situation is the period of time from beginning to end for which something lasts or during which something happens. □ [+ of ] The exact length of each period may vary. □ His film, over two hours in length, is a subtle study of family life.
4 N‑COUNT A length of rope, cloth, wood, or other material is a piece of it that is intended to be used for a particular purpose or that exists in a particular situation. □ [+ of ] …a 30ft length of rope. □ [+ of ] You can hang lengths of fabric behind the glass.
5 N‑UNCOUNT The length of something is its quality of being long. □ [+ of ] Many have been surprised at the length of time it has taken him to make up his mind. □ [+ of ] I noticed, too, the length of her fingers.
6 N‑COUNT If you swim a length in a swimming pool, you swim the distance from one end to the other. □ I swim 40 lengths a day.
7 N‑COUNT In boat racing or horse racing, a length is the distance from the front to the back of the boat or horse. You can talk about one boat or horse being one or more lengths in front of or behind another. □ Harvard won by four lengths.
8 N‑SING If something happens or exists along the length of something, it happens or exists for the whole way along it. □ [+ of ] I looked along the length of the building. □ [+ of ] The inspiration stemming from his travels lasted the length of his career.
9 → see also full-length
10 PHRASE If someone does something at length , they do it after a long period of time. [LITERARY ] □ At length my father went into the house.
11 PHRASE If someone does something at length , they do it for a long time or in great detail. □ They spoke at length, reviewing the entire incident.
12 PHRASE If you say that someone goes to great lengths to achieve something, you mean that they try very hard and perhaps do extreme things in order to achieve it. □ Greta Garbo went to great lengths to hide from reporters and photographers.
13 at arm's length → see arm ➊
14 the length and breadth of → see breadth
-length /-leŋθ/
1 COMB -length combines with nouns to form adjectives that describe something that is of a certain length, or long enough to reach the point indicated by the noun. □ …shoulder-length hair. □ …knee-length boots. □ …a feature-length film.
2 → see also full-length
length|en /le ŋθən/ (lengthens , lengthening , lengthened )
1 VERB When something lengthens or when you lengthen it, it increases in length. □ [V ] The evening shadows were lengthening. □ [V n] She began to walk faster, but he lengthened his stride to keep up with her.
2 VERB When something lengthens or when you lengthen it, it lasts for a longer time than it did previously. □ [V ] Vacations have lengthened and the work week has shortened. □ [V n] The council does not support lengthening the school day to fit in other activities.
length|ways /le ŋθwe I z/ or lengthwise /le ŋθwa I z/ ADV [ADV after v] Lengthways or lengthwise means in a direction or position along the length of something. □ Cut the aubergines in half lengthways.
length|wise /le ŋθwa I z/ ADV [ADV after v] Lengthwise means the same as lengthways . □ Peel the onion and cut it in half lengthwise.
lengthy /le ŋθi/ (lengthier , lengthiest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use lengthy to describe an event or process which lasts for a long time. □ …a lengthy meeting. □ …the lengthy process of filling out passport application forms.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A lengthy report, article, book, or document contains a lot of speech, writing, or other material. □ …a lengthy report from the Council of Ministers.
le|ni|en|cy /liː niənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Leniency is a lenient attitude or lenient behaviour. □ The judge rejected pleas for leniency and sentenced him to six months in prison. [Also + to/towards ]
le|ni|ent /liː niənt/ ADJ When someone in authority is lenient , they are not as strict or severe as expected. □ [+ with ] He believes the government already is lenient with drug traffickers. □ Professor Oswald takes a sightly more lenient view. ● le|ni|ent|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Many people believe reckless drivers are treated too leniently.
lens ◆◇◇ /le nz/ (lenses )
1 N‑COUNT A lens is a thin curved piece of glass or plastic used in things such as cameras, telescopes, and pairs of glasses. You look through a lens in order to make things look larger, smaller, or clearer. □ …a camera lens. □ I packed your sunglasses with the green lenses.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] In your eye, the lens is the part behind the pupil that focuses light and helps you to see clearly.
3 → see also contact lens , telephoto lens , wide-angle lens , zoom lens
lent /le nt/ Lent is the past tense and past participle of lend .
Lent N‑UNCOUNT Lent is the period of forty days before Easter, during which some Christians give up something that they enjoy.
len|til /le nt I l/ (lentils ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Lentils are the seeds of a lentil plant. They are usually dried and are used to make soups and stews.
Leo /liː oʊ/ (Leos )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Leo is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Its symbol is a lion. People who are born approximately between the 23rd of July and the 22nd of August come under this sign.
2 N‑COUNT A Leo is a person whose sign of the zodiac is Leo.
leo|nine /liː əna I n/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Leonine means like a lion, and is used especially to describe men with a lot of hair on their head, or with big beards. [LITERARY ] □ …a tall leonine grey-haired man.
leop|ard /le pə r d/ (leopards ) N‑COUNT A leopard is a type of large, wild cat. Leopards have yellow fur and black spots, and live in Africa and Asia.
leo|tard /liː ətɑː r d/ (leotards ) N‑COUNT A leotard is a tight-fitting piece of clothing, covering the body but not the legs, that some people wear when they practise dancing or do exercise.
lep|er /le pə r / (lepers )
1 N‑COUNT A leper is a person who has leprosy. This word could cause offence.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a leper , you mean that people in their community avoid them because they have done something that has shocked or offended people. □ The newspaper article had branded her a social leper not fit to be seen in company.
lep|ro|sy /le prəsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Leprosy is an infectious disease that damages people's flesh.
les|bian ◆◇◇ /le zbiən/ (lesbians )
1 ADJ Lesbian is used to describe homosexual women. □ Many of her best friends were lesbian. ● N‑COUNT A lesbian is a woman who is lesbian. □ …a youth group for lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
2 ADJ Lesbian is used to describe the relationships and activities of homosexual women, and the organizations or publications intended for them or created by them. □ …a long-term lesbian relationship.
les|bi|an|ism /le zbiən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Lesbianism refers to homosexual relationships between women or the preference that a woman shows for sexual relationships with women. □ …today's increased public awareness of lesbianism.
le|sion /liː ʒ ə n/ (lesions ) N‑COUNT A lesion is an injury or wound to someone's body. [MEDICAL ] □ …skin lesions. □ …a lesion of the spinal cord.
less ◆◆◆ /le s/ Less is often considered to be the comparative form of little . 1 DET You use less to indicate that there is a smaller amount of something than before or than average. You can use 'a little', 'a lot', 'a bit', 'far', and 'much' in front of less . □ People should eat less fat to reduce the risk of heart disease. □ …a dishwasher that uses less water and electricity than older machines. ● PRON Less is also a pronoun. □ Borrowers are striving to ease their financial position by spending less and saving more. ● QUANT Less is also a quantifier. □ Last year less of the money went into high-technology companies.
2 PHRASE You use less than before a number or amount to say that the actual number or amount is smaller than this. □ Motorways actually cover less than 0.1 percent of the countryside. □ Less than a half hour later he returned upstairs.
3 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You use less to indicate that something or someone has a smaller amount of a quality than they used to or than is average or usual. □ Other amenities, less commonly available, include a library and exercise room. □ [+ of ] Poverty is less of a problem now than it used to be.
4 ADV If you say that something is less one thing than another, you mean that it is like the second thing rather than the first. □ At first sight it looked less like a capital city than a mining camp.
5 ADV [ADV with v] If you do something less than before or less than someone else, you do it to a smaller extent or not as often. □ We are eating more and exercising less. □ [+ of ] I see less of any of my friends than I used to.
6 PHRASE You use the expressions still less , much less , and even less after a negative statement in order to introduce and emphasize a further statement, and to make it negative too. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I never talked about it, still less about her. □ The boy didn't have a girlfriend, much less a wife.
7 PREP When you are referring to amounts, you use less in front of a number or quantity to indicate that it is to be subtracted from another number or quantity already mentioned. □ …Boyton Financial Services Fees: £750, less £400. □ Company car drivers will pay between ten and twenty five percent, less tax.
8 PHRASE You use less than to say that something does not have a particular quality. For example, if you describe something as less than perfect, you mean that it is not perfect at all. [EMPHASIS ] □ Her greeting was less than enthusiastic. □ Her advice has frequently been less than wholly helpful.
9 PHRASE You use no less than before an amount to indicate that the amount is surprisingly large. [EMPHASIS ] □ The Amazon is no less than 200 miles wide at its mouth. □ He is lined up for no less than four U.S. television interviews.
10 couldn't care less → see care
11 more or less → see more
SUFFIX -less
forms adjectives that indicate that someone or something does not have a particular thing. For example, someone who is jobless does not have a job.
les|see /le siː / (lessees ) N‑COUNT A lessee is a person who has taken out a lease on something such as a house or piece of land. [LEGAL ]
less|en /le s ə n/ (lessens , lessening , lessened ) VERB If something lessens or you lessen it, it becomes smaller in size, amount, degree, or importance. □ [V ] As time went on, her anxiety lessened. □ [V n] Make sure that your immunisations are up to date to lessen the risk of serious illness. ● less|en|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of/in ] …increased trade and a lessening of tension on the border.
less|er /le sə r /
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use lesser in order to indicate that something is smaller in extent, degree, or amount than another thing that has been mentioned. □ Any medication is affected to a greater or lesser extent by many factors. □ The more obvious potential allies are Ireland, Denmark and, to a lesser degree, the Netherlands. ● ADV [ADV -ed] Lesser is also an adverb. □ …lesser known works by famous artists.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use lesser to refer to something or someone that is less important than other things or people of the same type. □ They pleaded guilty to lesser charges of criminal damage. □ He was feared by other, lesser, men.
3 the lesser of two evils → see evil
les|son ◆◇◇ /le s ə n/ (lessons )
1 N‑COUNT A lesson is a fixed period of time when people are taught about a particular subject or taught how to do something. □ It would be his last French lesson for months. □ Johanna took piano lessons.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You use lesson to refer to an experience which acts as a warning to you or an example from which you should learn. □ I had learned a very important lesson: adults must take responsibility for their own fate. ● PHRASE If you say that you are going to teach someone a lesson , you mean that you are going to punish them for something that they have done so that they do not do it again. COLLOCATIONS lesson NOUN
1
noun + lesson : driving, English, piano, swimming
adjective + lesson : compulsory, free, private; one-hour
verb + lesson : give, offer
2
noun + lesson : life
adjective + lesson : hard, harsh; important, salutary, valuable
verb + lesson : learn; teach
les|sor /lesɔː r / (lessors ) N‑COUNT A lessor is a person who owns something such as a house or piece of land and leases it to someone else. [LEGAL ]
lest /le st/ CONJ If you do something lest something unpleasant should happen, you do it to try to prevent the unpleasant thing from happening. [FORMAL ] □ I was afraid to open the door lest he should follow me. □ And, lest we forget, Einstein wrote his most influential papers while working as a clerk.
let ◆◆◆ /le t/ (lets , letting ) The form let is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle. 1 VERB If you let something happen, you allow it to happen without doing anything to stop or prevent it. □ [V n inf] Thorne let him talk. □ [V n inf] She let the door slam. □ [V pron-refl inf] I can't let myself be distracted by those things.
2 VERB If you let someone do something, you give them your permission to do it. □ [V n inf] I love sweets but Mum doesn't let me have them very often. □ [V n prep/adv] Visa or no visa, they won't let you into the country.
3 VERB If you let someone into, out of, or through a place, you allow them to enter, leave, or go through it, for example by opening a door or making room for them. □ [V n prep/adv] I had to let them into the building because they had lost their keys. □ [V n prep/adv] I'd better go and let the dog out.
4 VERB You use let me when you are introducing something you want to say. □ [V me inf] Let me tell you what I saw last night. □ [V me inf] Let me explain why.
5 VERB You use let me when you are offering politely to do something. [POLITENESS ] □ [V me inf] Let me take your coat. □ [V me inf] Let me get you something to drink.
6 VERB You say let's or, in more formal English, let us , to direct the attention of the people you are talking to towards the subject that you want to consider next. □ [V us inf] Let's consider ways of making it easier. □ [V us inf] Let us look at these views in more detail.
7 VERB You say let's or, in formal English, let us , when you are making a suggestion that involves both you and the person you are talking to, or when you are agreeing to a suggestion of this kind. □ [V us inf] I'm bored. Let's go home. □ [V 's ] 'Shall we go in and have some supper?'—'Yes, let's.'
8 VERB Someone in authority, such as a teacher, can use let's or, in more formal English, let us , in order to give a polite instruction to another person or group of people. [POLITENESS ] □ [V us inf] Let's have some hush, please. □ [V us inf] 'Let us pray,' said the Methodist chaplain.
9 VERB People often use let in expressions such as let me see or let me think when they are hesitating or thinking of what to say next. [VAGUENESS ] □ [V pron inf] Now, let's see. Where did I leave my bag? □ [V pron inf] 'How long you been living together then?'—'Erm, let me think. It's about four years now.'
10 VERB You can use let to say that you do not care if someone does something, although you think it is unpleasant or wrong. □ [V n inf] If he wants to do that, let him do it. □ [V n inf] Let them talk about me; I'll be dead, anyway.
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