90+ Verbs That Start With L | Definitions & Examples

The English language has over 90 verbs that start with L, including “live,” “laugh,” “love,” and “learn.” They range from everyday verbs, like “let” and “leave,” to academic verbs, such as “leverage” and “legislate.”

This guide includes definitions for the verbs starting with L, sorted into essential, common, and advanced categories. Whether you’re learning English or improving your academic writing, the lists below will help you communicate with confidence.

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Essential verbs that start with L

Of the many verbs that start with L, these 14 are essential for everyday English.

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Common verbs that start with L

In addition to the 14 essential verbs that start with L, there are 45 other common verbs to know for everyday conversation. Here are their definitions.

• Label: Give something a description (or a physical label)
• Labor: Work hard
• Lace: Tie with a string or cord
• Lack: Not have enough of something
• Ladle: Serve liquid food with a big spoon
• Lag: Move slowly or fall behind
• Land: Come down to the ground
• Landscape: Improve an outdoor area by adding plants or other ornaments
• Laser: Cut or treat something with a strong beam of light
• Lash: Strike something or someone rapidly and harshly
• Lasso: Catch with a rope
• Latch: Close or lock with a small fastener
• Launch: Make something soar or progress
• Layer: Put one thing on top of another
• Laze: Relax and do nothing
• Leak: Let liquid or air out
• Lean: Bend or rest against something
• Leap: Jump high in the air
• Lend: Give something and expect it back later
• Lessen: Make smaller or less
• Lick: Touch with your tongue
• Lift: Move something up
• Lighten: Make something less dark or less heavy
• Limit: Set a rule about how much is allowed
• Limp: Walk unevenly because of pain
• Line: Cover or fill the inside of something
• Link: Join or connect
• List: Write or say items one after another
• Listen: Pay attention to sounds
• Litter: Leave trash on the ground
• Load: Put things into or onto something
• Loan: Lend money
• Locate: Find where something is
• Lock: Close with a key or code
• Log: Record or write down information; cut down trees for lumber
• Long: Strongly want something
• Loop: Bend into a curved shape
• Loosen: Make less tight
• Loot: Steal things during a fight or disaster
• Lounge: Sit or lie in a relaxed way
• Lower: Move something down
• Lump: Put things together in a group
• Lunge: Move forward quickly
• Lurch: Move suddenly in an unsteady way
• Lust: Have a very strong desire

Advanced verbs that start with L

These verbs that start with L will help you prepare for standardized tests or use sophisticated vocabulary in your writing.

Advanced verbs that start with LA–LE

Explore advanced actions like “languish” and “leverage” in the list below.

• Lambast: Strongly scold or criticize
• Lament: Show sadness about something
• Laminate: Cover with a thin, clear plastic layer to protect
• Lampoon: Make fun of someone or something in a joking way
• Lance: Cut open with a sharp tool
• Languish: Stay weak, sad, or low energy for a long time
• Lapse: End or stop for a short time
• Launder: Wash clothes; Hide money
• Lavish: Give someone a lot of something (e.g., gifts)
• Legalize: Make allowed by law
• Leverage: Use something to gain an advantage
• Levitate: Rise or float in the air without support

Advanced verbs that start with LI–LU

This list includes precise actions like “linger,” “loiter,” and “luminate.” You might come across these in news articles, literature, or academic reading assignments.

• Liaise: Work closely with someone to share information
• Liberate: Set free
• License: Give official permission
• Liken: Say that one thing is like another
• Linger: Stay longer than expected
• Liquidate: Sell everything at once
• Litigate: Take a problem to court
• Liven: Make more lively or exciting
• Loaf: Be lazy or avoid work
• Loathe: Strongly dislike
• Lob: The something in a high arc
• Localize: Make something fit a certain place or area
• Lodge: Put or place something firmly
• Loiter: Stand around with no clear purpose
• Loom: Appear large or threatening
• Lubricate: Put oil or grease on to reduce friction
• Lull: Calm or make sleepy
• Lumber: Move in a slow, heavy way
• Luminate: Light up
• Lure: Attract or tempt
• Lurk: Hide and wait secretly

Frequently asked questions about verbs that start with L

What is the past participle of lead?

The past participle of the verb lead, meaning “go in front” or “be in charge of” is led. Lead is an irregular verb, so it doesn’t follow the pattern of adding “-ed” to form the past tense. The past participle is used to form the perfect tense forms of the verb and the passive voice.

• The hot weather has led to a huge increase in ice cream sales.
• Often, we are led by our instincts when we first become parents, as there is so much to learn.

You can check your grammar and spelling quickly and easily with the QuillBot Grammar Checker.

What is the past tense of lie down?

The simple past tense of lie is “lay.” So the past tense of the phrasal verb lie down is lay down (e.g., “Little Timmy came in and lay down on the sofa”).

“Lay” is also the infinitive form of another verb meaning “put down gently.” However, while “lie” (and its past tense form “lay”) is never accompanied by a direct object, “lay” (meaning “put down”) is transitive, so it is always accompanied by a direct object.

The simple past tense of the phrasal verb  “lay down,” meaning “put down” or “enforce,” is “laid down” (e.g., “Asmita laid down the rules for the camp”) because “laid” is the past tense of lay.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure you’re using phrasal verbs like “lie down” correctly.

What does left in the dark mean?

If you are left in the dark about something, it means that you are not being informed about it (e.g., “Management left us in the dark about these restructuring plans until the last minute; we had no input in the decision-making process”).

“Left” is the simple past tense of leave (e.g., “Management left us in the dark”) and the past participle of “leave” (e.g., “We were being left in the dark by management”).

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will help you to use irregular verbs like “leave” correctly in your writing.