There are many useful verbs that start with L. These verbs appear often in everyday conversation, school writing, and workplace communication. Learning them helps you speak and write more clearly.
Top Common Verbs that Start with L
Verbs that Start with L – Created by 7ESL
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Essential “L” Verbs for Beginners
These verbs are common in daily English and are easy to use in simple sentences.
1) learn
Definition: to get knowledge or a skill
Examples: I want to learn English. / She learned how to drive.
2) listen
Definition: to pay attention to sound
Examples: Please listen to me. / He listens to music every day.
3) look
Definition: to direct your eyes toward something
Examples: Look at this photo. / She looked out the window.
4) like
Definition: to enjoy or prefer something
Examples: I like chocolate ice cream. / They like the new teacher.
5) live
Definition: to exist and have life; to stay somewhere as your home
Examples: They live in a small apartment. / I lived there for two years.
6) love
Definition: to feel strong affection for someone or something
Examples: I love spending time with my family. / She loves her job.
7) laugh
Definition: to show happiness by making a sound or smiling
Examples: Everyone laughed at the joke. / Don’t laugh at him.
8) lead
Definition: to guide or be in charge
Examples: He was chosen to lead the group. / She led the meeting.
9) leave
Definition: to go away from a place; to depart
Examples: Mary left the party early. / We need to leave now.
10) lose
Definition: to no longer have something; to fail to keep something
Examples: I lost my keys. / Don’t lose hope.
Academic & Formal Verbs Starting with L
These verbs are useful for academic writing, reports, presentations, and IELTS-style tasks.
label
Definition: to give something a name or category
Example: The chart labels each section clearly.
legislate
Definition: to make laws
Example: The government plans to legislate new safety rules.
legitimize
Definition: to make something appear acceptable or legal
Example: The policy helped legitimize the program.
leverage
Definition: to use something to get an advantage
Example: The company will leverage its experience to grow.
license
Definition: to give official permission
Example: The agency licensed the business to operate.
limit
Definition: to control the size, amount, or range
Example: We should limit unnecessary spending.
liquidate
Definition: to sell assets for money, often to end a business
Example: The firm decided to liquidate its assets.
litigate
Definition: to take a legal case to court
Example: They may litigate if the dispute continues.
lobby
Definition: to try to influence decisions, especially in politics
Example: The group lobbied for better working conditions.
localize
Definition: to adapt something for a local language or culture
Example: The app was localized for different markets.
locate
Definition: to find the position of something
Example: Engineers worked to locate the source of the problem.
lodge
Definition: to place something somewhere firmly; or to make a formal complaint
Example: She lodged a complaint with customer service.
launch
Definition: to begin or introduce something officially
Example: The company will launch a new product next month.
lessen
Definition: to reduce or make smaller
Example: Good planning can lessen stress.
lengthen
Definition: to make something longer
Example: The teacher lengthened the deadline.
Action Verbs that Start with L
Physical Action Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| lift | raise something up | She lifted the heavy box. |
| lick | touch with the tongue | The dog licked my hand. |
| lock | close with a key or code | He locked the door. |
| load | put things into a vehicle or container | They loaded the groceries into the car. |
| launch | send something into motion; begin | The team launched the campaign. |
| loiter | stay in a place with no clear purpose | Please don’t loiter near the entrance. |
| loot | steal goods during disorder | The shop was looted during the riot. |
| lure | attract someone/something | The bright light lured insects inside. |
Mental & Communication Action Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| learn | gain knowledge or skill | He is learning how to code. |
| like | enjoy or prefer | I like this idea. |
| listen | pay attention to sound | Listen carefully to the instructions. |
| look | direct your eyes | She looked at the map. |
| log | record information | He logged his daily activities in a journal. |
| link | connect things | The article links to related topics. |
| lecture | give a formal talk | She lectures on art history. |
| lie | say something untrue | He lied about his qualifications. |
Positive Verbs that Start with L
Verbs for Success and Achievement
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| lead | guide; manage | She will lead the new project. |
| learn | gain knowledge | You can learn faster with daily practice. |
| leverage | use for advantage | They leveraged data to improve results. |
| launch | start officially | The company launched a new service. |
| level | make equal; balance | These rules help level the playing field. |
Verbs for Feelings and Relationships
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| love | feel deep affection | I love spending time with my family. |
| like | enjoy; prefer | She likes her new classmates. |
| listen | pay attention | Good friends listen without judging. |
| laugh | show happiness | We laughed together all night. |
| lull | calm or relax | The music lulled him to sleep. |
Important Phrasal Verbs Starting with L
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Look”, “Let”, and “Leave”
look after
Meaning: take care of
Example: Can you look after my bag for a minute?
look forward to
Meaning: feel excited about something in the future
Example: I’m looking forward to the weekend.
look up
Meaning: search for information
Example: I need to look up that word.
let down
Meaning: disappoint someone
Example: I’m sorry I let you down.
let in
Meaning: allow someone to enter
Example: Please let me in.
leave out
Meaning: not include; omit
Example: Don’t leave out the most important detail.
Comprehensive List of Verbs that Start with L
This list focuses on base-form verbs (dictionary form). Pronunciations are given in IPA, followed by a short, learner-friendly definition.
| Verb | Pronunciation | Simple Definition |
|---|---|---|
| La- | ||
| label | /ˈleɪbəl/ | name or categorize |
| lack | /læk/ | not have enough |
| lace | /leɪs/ | tie or fasten (often with laces) |
| lament | /ləˈment/ | express sadness or regret |
| land | /lænd/ | arrive on the ground; bring down |
| launch | /lɔːntʃ/ | start; send into motion |
| laugh | /læf/ | show amusement |
| lavish | /ˈlævɪʃ/ | give in a generous way |
| lay | /leɪ/ | put something down |
| lead | /liːd/ | guide or manage |
| lean | /liːn/ | move your body toward something |
| leap | /liːp/ | jump |
| learn | /lɜːrn/ | gain knowledge |
| leave | /liːv/ | go away; depart |
| lend | /lend/ | give temporarily |
| let | /let/ | allow |
| level | /ˈlevəl/ | make equal; balance |
| license | /ˈlaɪsəns/ | give official permission |
| limit | /ˈlɪmɪt/ | control the amount |
| link | /lɪŋk/ | connect |
| list | /lɪst/ | write items in order |
| listen | /ˈlɪsən/ | pay attention to sound |
| live | /lɪv/ | exist; stay somewhere |
| load | /loʊd/ | put things into something |
| locate | /loʊˈkeɪt/ | find the position of |
| lock | /lɑːk/ | close with a key/code |
| log | /lɔːɡ/ | record information |
| look | /lʊk/ | direct your eyes |
| lose | /luːz/ | no longer have |
| love | /lʌv/ | feel strong affection |
| lower | /ˈloʊər/ | move downward; reduce |
| lure | /lʊr/ | attract |
| lull | /lʌl/ | calm or relax |
| liberate | /ˈlɪbəreɪt/ | set free |
| lighten | /ˈlaɪtən/ | make less heavy or more cheerful |
| liquidate | /ˈlɪkwɪdeɪt/ | sell assets for money |
| litigate | /ˈlɪtɪɡeɪt/ | take a legal case to court |
| lobby | /ˈlɑːbi/ | try to influence decisions |
| localize | /ˈloʊkəlaɪz/ | adapt for local use |
| lodge | /lɑːdʒ/ | place firmly; or make a complaint |
| loiter | /ˈlɔɪtər/ | stay with no clear purpose |
| long | /lɔːŋ/ | want something strongly |
| loot | /luːt/ | steal during disorder |
Confusing L Verbs & Common Mistakes
lie vs. lay
- lie (no object): to rest — I want to lie down.
- lay (needs an object): to put something — Please lay the book on the table.
lose vs. loose
- lose (verb): to misplace or not win — Don’t lose your keys.
- loose (adjective): not tight — This screw is loose.
lend vs. borrow
- lend: give temporarily — Can you lend me your pen?
- borrow: receive temporarily — Can I borrow your pen?
learn vs. teach
- learn: get knowledge — I learned a lot today.
- teach: give knowledge — She teaches English.
Exercises: Test Your Knowledge on “L” Verbs
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks
- Please ________ to the instructions before you start.
- I want to ________ how to play the guitar.
- Don’t ________ your phone again.
- We should ________ now, or we’ll be late.
- She chose him to ________ the team.
- He didn’t ________ the joke, so he stayed serious.
- Can you ________ the door when you go out?
- I really ________ this song.
Exercise 2: Match the definition
Verbs: (A) lend (B) locate (C) limit (D) launch (E) link
- _____ to find the position of something
- _____ to start something officially
- _____ to connect things together
- _____ to control the amount of something
- _____ to give something temporarily
Answer Key
Exercise 1: 1) listen 2) learn 3) lose 4) leave 5) lead 6) laugh 7) lock 8) like
Exercise 2: 1) B 2) D 3) E 4) C 5) A
Related:
- Adjectives that Start with L
- Nouns that Start with L
- Words that Start with L
- Positive Words that Start with L
Learn more A–Z Verbs:
- Verbs that Start with A
- Verbs that Start with B
- Verbs that Start with C
- Verbs that Start with D
- Verbs that Start with E
- Verbs that Start with F
- Verbs that Start with G
- Verbs that Start with H
- Verbs that Start with I
- Verbs that Start with J
- Verbs that Start with K
- Verbs that Start with L
- Verbs that Start with M
- Verbs that Start with N
- Verbs that Start with O
- Verbs that Start with P
- Verbs that Start with Q
- Verbs that Start with R
- Verbs that Start with S
- Verbs that Start with T
- Verbs that Start with U
- Verbs that Start with V
- Verbs that Start with W
- Verbs that Start with X
- Verbs that Start with Y
- Verbs that Start with Z