English spellings/Catalogs/L: Difference between revisions

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{{subpages}}
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}


'''L''' = '''él''' ''railway''
'''L''' = '''él''' ''railway''
'''lâbel''' rhymes with '''tâble


'''labŏrious  
'''labŏrious  


'''lâbour''' BrE; AmE -'''or''', cf. '''Lâbor Pàrty''' ''Australia, etc.''
'''lâbour''' BrE; AmE -'''or''', cf. '''Lâbor Pàrty''' ''Australia, etc.'' and '''Lâbour Pàrty''' ''Britain, etc.''


'''lâbourer''' BrE; AmE -'''or'''-
'''lâbourer''' BrE; AmE -'''or'''-


'''lábyrinth''' *lábrinth
'''lábyrinth''' *lábrinth
'''lachrymôse''' *lacrimôse


'''lackadâisical
'''lackadâisical


'''lácklustre''' ''adjective'' one word  
'''lácklustre'''/-'''er''' ''adjective'' one word  


'''lácquer''' *lácker
'''lácquer''' *lácker
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'''lâdies''' ''women''
'''lâdies''' ''women''
'''lâdle'''


'''làger''' ''beer'' hard '''g''', cf. soft '''g''' in '''làrger''' ''bigger''
'''làger''' ''beer'' hard '''g''', cf. soft '''g''' in '''làrger''' ''bigger''
'''làh-dì-dàh'''


'''lâid''' ''egg, table, trap'' *lâyed
'''lâid''' ''egg, table, trap'' *lâyed
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'''lâissèz-fãire''' has a silent '''z''': *lây-sây-fãir
'''lâissèz-fãire''' has a silent '''z''': *lây-sây-fãir


'''lámb''' - silent '''b''' *lám
'''lâíty''' rhymes with '''dèíty
 
'''lámb''' ''sheep'' = '''lám''' ''law, thrash


'''lambást''' or '''lambâste
'''lambást''' or '''lambâste
'''lâme'''
'''lámè''' (may be written French-style '''''lamé''''')


'''lamént
'''lamént


'''lámentable''' or '''laméntable
'''lámentable''' or '''laméntable
'''Lampedûsa''': Italian has a voiced '''s''', but unvoiced is usual in English
'''Lámplugh''' *Lámplə
'''LÁN''' ''local area network
'''lándscape


'''lâne''' ''road'' = '''lâin''' ''lie'' = '''Lâne''', '''Lâine''' ''persons''
'''lâne''' ''road'' = '''lâin''' ''lie'' = '''Lâne''', '''Lâine''' ''persons''
'''lánguage''' *láng-gwij


'''lánguorous''' -'''uorou'''-: -ərə-
'''lánguorous''' -'''uorou'''-: -ərə-
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'''lápdog''' one word  
'''lápdog''' one word  
'''Láplánd'''


'''lápse''' ''negative'' = '''láps''' ''lap
'''lápse''' ''negative'' = '''láps''' ''lap


'''largésse''' or AmE '''largéss  
'''largésse''' BrE; AmE can be '''largéss''' *larzhéss or = '''làrge S'''


'''làrva''' ''insect'' BrE = '''làva''' ''volcano
'''làrva''' ''insect'' BrE = '''làva''' ''volcano  
 
'''laságna''' *ləzánya, '''laságnê''' *ləzányi


'''lâser''' -z-; rhymes with '''râzor
'''lâser''' -z-; rhymes with '''râzor
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'''lasso''' *lassoô
'''lasso''' *lassoô


'''Làs Vègas''' - [[British English|BrE]] usually *Lós Vègas because in [[American English|AmE]] '''Làs''' = '''Lós''', or by analogy with '''Lós Ángeles''', though some say '''Lás'''  
'''lāst
 
'''Làs Vègas''': [[British English|BrE]] usually *Lós Vègas because in [[American English|AmE]] '''Làs''' = '''Lós''', and/or by analogy with '''Lós Ángeles'''; some British speakers say '''Lás''', as if "'''láss Vègas'''"
 
'''lâter''', cf. '''látter
 
'''Látin


'''lâter
'''Latìno


'''làttè
'''làttè


'''látter
'''látter
'''láttice''' cf. '''léttuce


'''låud''' ''praise'' = BrE '''lŏrd''' ''master''
'''låud''' ''praise'' = BrE '''lŏrd''' ''master''
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'''laundrétte
'''laundrétte


'''laureate''' *lóriat
'''Låura
 
'''låureate''' BrE *lóriət
 
'''låurel''' BrE *lórrel
 
'''Låuren''' BrE Ló-
 
'''Låurence''' = '''Låwrence''', BrE Ló-


'''laurel''' *lórrel
'''Laurie''' = '''lórry''', BrE '''ó''', AmE '''å'''


'''làva''' ''volcano'' BrE = '''làrva''' ''insect
'''làva''' ''volcano'' BrE = '''làrva''' ''insect


'''lávish''' cf. '''slâvish
'''lávish''', cf. '''slâvish


'''låw''' ''legal'' = BrE '''lŏre''' ''folk'': *lŏ, cf. '''lôw''' *ləù: Francophones beware
'''låw''' ''legal'' = BrE '''lŏre''' ''folk'': *lŏ; many [[French language|Francophones]] cannot distinguish this word, instead pronouncing it like '''lôw''' *ləù


'''Lawrence''' Ló- or '''Laurence''', '''w''' more common
'''Låwrence''' = '''Låurence''' as a boy's given name; the former, with '''w''',  is also a family name and as a given name is more common ('''u''' version is a girl's given name in French), BrE Ló-


'''låwyer''' *lŏyer
'''låwyer''' *lŏyer


'''lây''' ''table, egg, snooker'' is a verb in its own right, past and past participle both '''lâid''', but do not use '''lây''' instead of '''lîe''' ''down'' (past '''lây''', past participle '''lâin''')
'''láx''' ''neglect'' = '''lácks''' ''lack
 
'''láxative
 
'''lây''' ''table, egg, snooker'' is a verb in its own right, past and past participle both '''lâid'''; even native speakers confuse '''lây''' with '''lîe''' ''down'' (past '''lây''', past participle '''lâin'''): e.g. "laying low" for '''lŷing lôw'''


'''lâybŷ
'''lâybŷ
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'''lêa''' ''grass'' = '''lêe''' ''shelter'' = '''Lêe''' = '''Lêigh''' ''persons  
'''lêa''' ''grass'' = '''lêe''' ''shelter'' = '''Lêe''' = '''Lêigh''' ''persons  


'''lêach''' ''percolate'' = '''leêch''' ''worm, sail''' = '''Lêach''' = '''Leêch''' ''persons
'''lêach''' ''percolate'' = '''leêch''' ''worm, sail'' = '''Lêach''' = '''Leêch''' ''persons


'''lêad''' ''first, guide, newspaper'' = '''lêde''' ''newspaper'' - optional spelling to distinguish it from '''léad''' ''metal
'''lêad''' ''first, guide, write, dog'' = '''lêde''' ''US journal'' (optional spelling to distinguish it from '''léad''' ''metal'')


'''léad''' ''metal'' = '''léd''' ''took'', past of '''lêad''', cf. '''réad''', past of '''rêad
'''léad''' ''metal'' = '''léd''' ''took'', past of '''lêad''', cf. '''réad''', past of '''rêad
'''Léad Bélly''' is pronounced with the stress on the first word, as if it were one word, *Léadbelly


'''lêader''' ''lead'' = '''lìêder''' ''songs
'''lêader''' ''lead'' = '''lìêder''' ''songs
'''Léadsom'''
'''lêaf''', singular of '''lêaves''' ''tree


'''lêak''' ''liquid'' = '''lêek''' ''vegetable
'''lêak''' ''liquid'' = '''lêek''' ''vegetable


'''lêague''' *lêeg  
'''lêague''' *lêeg  
'''Léamington Spà''' begins like '''lémming


'''lêan
'''lêan
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'''lëarned''' as an attributive adjective gains a syllable: '''a''' *lëarníd '''mán  
'''lëarned''' as an attributive adjective gains a syllable: '''a''' *lëarníd '''mán  


'''lêast''' ''less'' cf. '''lést''' ''in case
'''lêast''' ''less'', cf. '''lést''' ''in case


'''lêaves''' ''leave, leaf'' - plural of '''lêaf''' and -'''s''' form of the verb '''lêave
'''lêaves''' ''leave, leaf''—plural of '''lêaf''' ''tree'' and -'''s''' form of the verb '''lêave''' ''go


'''Lébanon''' -ənən; AmE -'''ón
'''Lébanon''' -ənən; AmE -'''ón


'''léd''' ''guided'' = '''léad''' ''metal'' ('''[[Led Zeppelin|Léd Zéppelin]]''' is so spelt as to avoid mispronunciation)
'''léd''' ''guided'' (past of '''lêad''') = '''léad''' ''metal'' ('''[[Led Zeppelin|Léd Zéppelin]]''' is so spelt as to avoid mispronunciation)


'''lêde''' ''introduction to an article'', AmE journalistic jargon: alternative spelling, used only in this sense, of '''lêad''', to avoid even momentary confusion with '''léad''' ''metal
'''lêde''', AmE alternative spelling of '''lêad''' ''introduction'', intended to avoid confusion with '''léad''' ''metal
 
'''lédger''' makes a minimal pair with BrE '''léisure'''


'''lée''' ''shelter'' = '''Lêe''' = '''Lêigh''' = '''Lêa''' ''persons'' = '''lêa''' ''grass''
'''lée''' ''shelter'' = '''Lêe''' = '''Lêigh''' = '''Lêa''' ''persons'' = '''lêa''' ''grass''


'''lêes''' ''dregs'' cf. '''lêase''' ''contract'', unvoiced '''s''': [[minimal pair]]
'''lêes''' ''dregs'', cf. '''lêase''' ''contract'', unvoiced '''s''': [[minimal pair]]


'''leêch''' ''worm, sail'' = '''lêach''' ''percolate'' = '''Lêach''' = '''Leêch''' ''persons
'''leêch''' ''worm, sail'' = '''lêach''' ''percolate'' = '''Lêach''' = '''Leêch''' ''persons
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'''lêgal
'''lêgal
'''légend''', cf. '''lédge
'''législâtive''' AmE; BrE '''législatíve


'''législâtor
'''législâtor


'''législatûre
'''législatûre
'''legítimacy'''


'''Léicester''' ''city'' = '''Léster''' ''person''; each forms a [[minimal pair|minimal trio]] with '''Léinster''' and '''Léominster'''
'''Léicester''' ''city'' = '''Léster''' ''person''; each forms a [[minimal pair|minimal trio]] with '''Léinster''' and '''Léominster'''
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'''Leîpzig
'''Leîpzig


'''léisure''' BrE *lézher; AmE '''lêisure''' *lêzher; BrE rhyming with '''méasure''', '''pléasure''' and '''tréasure  
'''léisure''' BrE *lézher; AmE '''lêisure''' *lêzher; BrE rhymes with '''méasure''', '''pléasure''' and '''tréasure''', and makes a  minimal pair with '''lédger'''


'''leîtmotìf
'''leîtmotìf''' has the anglicised [[spelling pronunciation]], while the alternative '''leîtmotìv''' resembles the original [[German language|German]]


'''lêmur''' ''animal'' BrE = '''Lìma''' ''Peru
'''lêmur''' ''animal'' BrE = '''Lìma''' ''Peru
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'''Léominster''' *Lémstər, see '''Léicester'''
'''Léominster''' *Lémstər, see '''Léicester'''
'''Lêón''' ''person'' = '''Lỳón''' ''France'', cf. '''lîon''' ''animal


'''Léonard''' *Lénnərd = '''Lénnard
'''Léonard''' *Lénnərd = '''Lénnard


'''léopard''' ''animal'' = '''Léppard''' ''person'' *lépərd, cf. '''Léonard''', '''jéopardy''', also silent '''o
'''léopard''' ''animal'' = '''Léppard''' ''Def'' *lépərd (minimal pair with '''léper'''), cf. '''Léonard''', '''jéopardy''', also silent '''o'''


'''lêotàrd''' *lêətàrd
'''lêotàrd''' *lêətàrd


'''léper''' *lépər, rhyming with '''pépper
'''léper''' *lépər, rhyming with '''pépper''', minimal pair with '''léopard'''
 
'''léprechåun''' *léprekåun
 
'''Lërner and Lôewe''' sounds like '''lëarner and lôw'''


'''Lerŏy''' or '''Lêroy''', with many variant spellings. From Wikipedia's article on [[Leroy Anderson]]: 'His first name was pronounced the classical way, with the stress on the second syllable; "Luh-ROY" rather than the now prevalent pronunciation of that name, "LEE-roy".'
'''Lerŏy''' or '''Lêroy''', with variant spellings ('''R''', -'''oi'''...)


'''Lés''' AmE = '''léss''', BrE *Léz
'''Lés''' AmE = '''léss''', BrE *Léz
'''lésbian'''
'''Lésbós'''
'''''lèse-majesté''''' *lâys-mázhestay


'''Lésley''' ''female'' = '''Léslie''' ''male''
'''Lésley''' ''female'' = '''Léslie''' ''male''
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'''léssen''' ''less'' = '''lésson''' ''school''
'''léssen''' ''less'' = '''lésson''' ''school''


'''lést''' ''in case'' cf. '''lêast''' ''less''
'''lést''' ''in case'', cf. '''lêast''' ''less''


'''lêthal
'''lêthal


'''léts''' ''let'' = '''lét’s''' ''let us''
'''léts''' ''allows'' = '''lét's''' ''suggestion''


'''léttuce''' *léttis
'''léttuce''' *léttis = '''Léttice''', cf. '''láttice''' ([[minimal pair]])


'''Levánt
'''Levánt
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'''lévee''' ''dam'' = '''lévy''' ''tax''
'''lévee''' ''dam'' = '''lévy''' ''tax''


'''lêver''' BrE; AmE '''léver
'''lêver''' BrE (= '''lêaver''' ''leave''); some AmE '''léver


'''lêverage''' BrE; AmE '''léverage''' cf. '''béverage''' in both
'''lêverage''' BrE; AmE '''léverage''', cf. '''béverage''' in both


'''Lêvi
'''Lêvî


'''Lévis''' cf. '''Lêavis
'''Lévís''', cf. '''Lêavis


'''lévy''' ''tax'' = '''lévee''' ''dam''
'''lévy''' ''tax'' = '''lévee''' ''dam''


'''leŵd''' cf. '''feûd
'''Lêvy''', '''Lévy''' ''persons


'''Leŵis''' ''Scotland, person'' *Loôwis = '''Leŵes''' ''England''
'''Leŵ''' ''rare'' = '''Loû''' ''normal'' (shortenings of '''Leŵis''')
 
'''leŵd''' rhymes with '''rûde''' and '''feûd
 
'''Leŵis''' ''person'', ''Scotland'' *Loôwis = '''Leŵes''' ''England''
 
'''léxicon''' rhymes with '''Méxican'''
 
'''Lèyland
 
'''Leylándìî


'''Lhàsa
'''Lhàsa


'''liâison''' '''lì'''-
'''lîable''', three syllables, cf. '''lîbel''', two
 
'''liâisón''' *lì-âizón
 
'''lîar''' ''false'' = '''lŷre''' ''music'', cf. '''lîe


'''lîable''' three syllables
'''Líb Dém


'''lîar''' ''false'' = '''lŷre''' ''music
'''lîbel'''  


'''lîbel''' two syllables
'''lîbelous'''; BrE can be '''lîbellous


'''líberal
'''líberal
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'''librãrian
'''librãrian


'''Líbya
'''Líbya''', cf. '''Sýria


'''lîcence''' BrE or '''lîcense''' AmE; can be verb in BrE
'''lîcence''' BrE noun only = '''lîcense'''
'''lîcensed''' *lîcenced


'''lîcensêe''' *lîcencee
'''lîcensêe''' *lîcencee
'''lîcensure
'''licéntiate''' -shət
'''licéntious''' -shəss


'''lîchen''' ''plant'' = '''lîken''' ''compare''
'''lîchen''' ''plant'' = '''lîken''' ''compare''


'''lîe''' ''untrue'' (past and past participle: '''lîed'''), ''down'' (past '''lây''', past participle '''lâin'''), cf. '''lŷing''', present participle and gerund of both; and '''lây''' ''table, egg, snooker'' as a verb in its own right, past and past participle both '''lâid''': the usual mistake is '''lây''' instead of '''lîe
'''lícker''' ''lick'' = '''líquor''' ''drink
 
'''lícoríce''' AmE, '''líquoríce''' BrE *líckerish
 
'''líd''' = '''Lýdd'''
 
'''Lídl''' = '''Líddle''' = '''Líddell''' ''Alice''
 
'''lîdo''', '''lìdo
 
'''lîe''' ''untrue'' (past and past participle: '''lîed'''), ''down'' (past '''lây''', past participle '''lâin'''), cf. '''lŷing''', present participle and gerund of both; and '''lây''' ''table, egg, snooker'' as a verb in its own right, past and past participle both '''lâid''': the usual mistake is '''lây''' instead of '''lîe''' = '''lŷe''' ''chemical''


'''Líechtensteîn''' or Lísh-
'''Líechtensteîn''' Lík-, Lísh- or Lích- ''country'', cf. '''Líchtensteîn''' Lík- ''Roy''


'''lìen''' *lêən
'''lîed''' ''untruth
 
'''lìêd''' ''song''


'''lìêder''' ''songs'' = '''lêader''' ''lead''
'''lìêder''' ''songs'' = '''lêader''' ''lead''
'''lìen''' *lêən, or = '''lêan


'''lieû''' ''in'' = '''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''Loû''' ''person''
'''lieû''' ''in'' = '''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''Loû''' ''person''


'''lieuténant''' AmE loût-, BrE léft- or loût-
'''lieuténant''' AmE loôt-, BrE léft- or loôt-
 
'''lîfelong''' one word


'''lîfestyle''' one word
'''lîfestyle''' one word
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'''lígament
'''lígament
'''Lígeti''': hard '''g''', [[schwa]]


'''lîght''' = '''lîte''', humorous or commercial spelling thereof
'''lîght''' = '''lîte''', humorous or commercial spelling thereof
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'''Lilóngwè
'''Lilóngwè
'''líly''' = '''Lýly'''


'''líly-lívered
'''líly-lívered
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'''límb''' *lím, cf. '''clîmb''' ''up'' = '''clîme''' ''climate''
'''límb''' *lím, cf. '''clîmb''' ''up'' = '''clîme''' ''climate''


'''lîme''' cf. '''Lŷme Rêgis
'''lîme''', cf. '''Lŷme Rêgis


'''límô
'''límô''' *límmo


'''limousìne''' *limmazêen
'''limousìne''' *limmazêen


'''línchpín''' cf. '''lýnch
'''límp
 
'''línchpín''', cf. '''lýnch
 
'''Líncoln''' *Língkən, *Linkən


'''Líncoln''' *Língkən
'''Líndsay''' = '''Línzey''' = '''Líndsey''' ''Lincolnshire


'''Líndsay''' *Línzy = '''Líndsey''' ''Lincolnshire
'''lîne''' = '''Leŷne


'''línêage''' *línêíj, cf. '''lîne
'''línêage''' *línêíj, *línny-ij, cf. '''lîne


'''línêar'''
'''línêar'''
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'''lingerie''' BrE *lánzhery, AmE *lànjə-rèy
'''lingerie''' BrE *lánzhery, AmE *lànjə-rèy


'''línk''' cf. '''lýnx
'''línk''', cf. '''lýnx''', '''Líncs'''


'''Línux'''  
'''Línux'''  
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'''líp-rêad  
'''líp-rêad  


'''líquefy''' cf. '''líquid''', '''líquidate
'''líquefy''', cf. '''líquid''', '''líquidate


'''liqueûr''' ''chocolate'' *licûre
'''liqueûr''' ''chocolate'' *licûre


'''líquor''' ''whisky'' *líkker
'''líquor''' ''whisky'' = '''lícker''' ''lick
 
'''líquoríce''' BrE, '''lícoríce''' AmE *líckerish


'''Lísbon''' ''Portugal'' *Lízbən = BrE '''Lísburn''' ''Ireland
<nowiki>*</nowiki>lírrick (cf. '''límerick''') '''lýric'''
 
'''Lísbon''' ''Portugal'' *Lízbən = BrE '''Lísburn''' ''Ireland''', rhymes with '''Brísbane
 
'''Liskeârd'''


'''líst''' ''column, sway'' = '''Líszt''' ''Franz''
'''líst''' ''column, sway'' = '''Líszt''' ''Franz''
Line 346: Line 473:
'''lístless''' *lístlíss
'''lístless''' *lístlíss


lîte - humorous or commercial spelling of '''lîght''', unsuitable in other contexts
lîte: humorous or commercial spelling of '''lîght''', unsuitable in other contexts


'''líterary
'''líterary
'''líttoral''' ''shore'' = '''líteral''' ''words'' - or can be '''littorāl'''; or be spelt with only one '''t''', '''lítoral'''


'''líturgy
'''líturgy
'''[[Liu Xiaobo|Liû Xiaobǒ]]''' *Lyû Shòu-båw, as it is pronounced by some broadcasters, though in English -'''bô''' is what comes naturally


'''líve''' ''verb
'''líve''' ''verb


'''lîve''' ''adjective'' cf. '''lîfe''' ''noun
'''lîve''' ''adjective'', cf. '''lîfe''' ''noun
 
'''líver''' ''organ''
 
'''lîver bïrd


'''Líverpool
'''Líverpoôl''', cf. '''poôl'''


'''Liverpúdlian
'''Liverpúdlian''' *Líver-púddlian, cf. '''púddle'''


'''lîvelihood
'''lîvelihoòd


'''lîvely
'''lîvely
'''lívery


'''líves''' ''verb''  
'''líves''' ''verb''  
Line 374: Line 511:
'''llàma''' ''animal'' = '''làma''' ''Buddhism''
'''llàma''' ''animal'' = '''làma''' ''Buddhism''


'''Llanélli''' - Welsh names beginning with the [[voiceless alveolar fricative]] {{IPA|ɬ}}, written '''Ll'''-, are pronounced by many English speakers as if they began Thl-, so: *Thlanéthly - though this does not apply to the very common...
'''Llandudno''' -dídno; see following
 
'''Llanélli''': Welsh names featuring, very often initially, the [[voiceless alveolar fricative]], [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] [{{IPA|ɬ}}], written '''Ll'''-, '''ll'''-, are pronounced by many non-Welsh speakers with the substitute 'thl-', so: *Thlanéthly—though this does not apply to the very common '''Llŏyd''' *Lŏyd (nor to '''Llèyton''', a variant of '''Lèyton''')
 
'''Llŏyds''' ''bank'' = '''Llŏyd's''' ''insurance'' *Lŏydz


'''Llŏyd''' *Lŏyd
'''lôad''' ''heavy, fill'' = '''lôde''' ''rock''


'''lôan''' ''lend'' = '''lône''' ''alone''
'''lôan''' ''lend'' = '''lône''' ''alone''


'''lôath''' ''unwilling'' unvoiced '''th'''; its variant '''lôth''' is perhaps preferable, to avoid confusion with the following, which is sometimes used incorrectly in its place
'''lôath''' ''unwilling'' has unvoiced '''th'''; its variant spelling '''lôth''' is perhaps preferable, to avoid confusion with '''lôathe''', which is often used incorrectly in its place


'''lôathe''' ''hate'' voiced '''th''', *lôadh
'''lôathe''' ''hate'' has voiced '''th''', *lôadh


'''lôathsome''' voiced '''th''', no middle 'e'
'''lôathsome''' voiced '''th''', no middle 'e'


'''lóch''' Scottish '''ch''', like Arabic 'kh', phonetic symbol χ, cf. '''lóck'''; Irish ones are '''lóugh''', same pronunciation
'''lóbbyist''' *lóbbiest
 
'''lóch''' Scottish '''ch''', like Arabic 'kh', phonetic symbol χ; Irish ones are '''lóugh''', same pronunciation; cf. '''lóck'''


'''lóckjaw''' one word
'''lóckjaw''' one word
'''lódge
'''Lodz''' *Wùdj


'''lôgo
'''lôgo


'''Lôís
'''Lôís
'''lolicon''': stressless in Japanese; no standard English pronunciation


'''lóllipop
'''lóllipop
Line 402: Line 551:
'''lône''' ''only'' = '''lôan''' ''money''
'''lône''' ''only'' = '''lôan''' ''money''


'''lónger''' ''long'' hard '''g''' sounded separately
'''lónger''' ''long'', hard '''g''' sounded separately


'''longëur''' ''bore'' '''g''' not sounded separately
'''longëur''' ''bore'', '''g''' not sounded separately


'''longévity''' -njé-
'''longévity''' -njé-
Line 410: Line 559:
'''Lóngfellow
'''Lóngfellow


'''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''Loû''' ''person'' = '''lieû''' ''in''
'''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''Loû''' ''person'' = '''lieû''' ''in'' = '''Loôe''' ''Cornwall''


'''loòkalike''' ''noun'' one word  
'''loòkalike''' ''noun'' one word  
'''loôm''' ''noun, verb
'''loôphole''' one word, no hyphen


'''loôse''' ''insecure'' *lûce, cf. '''lose''' ''lost'' = '''loôs''' ''loo'' *lûze: writing '''loôse''' for '''lose''' is perhaps the second most common mistake in English after '''ít’s''' for '''íts
'''loôse''' ''insecure'' *lûce, cf. '''lose''' ''lost'' = '''loôs''' ''loo'' *lûze: writing '''loôse''' for '''lose''' is perhaps the second most common mistake in English after '''ít’s''' for '''íts
'''loôsely'''


'''loôser''' ''more loose'' *lûcer, cf. '''loser''' ''lose'' *lûzer
'''loôser''' ''more loose'' *lûcer, cf. '''loser''' ''lose'' *lûzer


'''loôt''' ''spoils'' = '''lûte''' ''music''
'''loôt''' ''spoils'' = '''lûte''' ''music''
'''lôpe
'''loquâcious


'''lŏre''' ''folk'' BrE =  '''låw''' ''rule''
'''lŏre''' ''folk'' BrE =  '''låw''' ''rule''


'''lórry''' ''transport'' = '''Laurie''' ''person''
'''lorry''' ''transport'' = '''Laurie''' ''person'', AmE '''å''', BrE '''ó'''
 
'''Lós Ángeles''', cf. '''Làs Vègas


'''lose''' ''lost'' *lûze = '''loôs''' ''toilets'', cf. '''loôse''' ''insecure'' *lûce
'''lose''' ''lost'' *lûze = '''loôs''' ''toilets'', cf. '''loôse''' ''insecure'' *lûce
Line 434: Line 595:
'''lóss
'''lóss


'''lôth''' ''disinclined'' variant of '''lôath''', and arguably preferable, as it is further from '''lôathe''' ''hate''
'''lôth''' ''disinclined'': variant spelling of '''lôath''' (unvoiced '''th'''), and arguably preferable, as it is further from '''lôathe''' ''hate'' (voiced '''th''')


'''Loû''' ''person'' = '''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''lieû''' ''in''
'''Loû''' ''person'' = '''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''lieû''' ''in''; '''Loû''' is the normal shortening of '''Leŵis''', '''[[Lew Hoad|Leŵ Hôad]]''' being an exception


'''loûche''' -sh
'''loûche''' -sh
'''lòud'''
'''lóugh''' = '''lóch
'''Loúghborough''' *Lúffbərə


'''Loûìs''' silent '''s''' = '''Loûìê''', or (particularly in '''St. Loûís''') = '''Leŵís
'''Loûìs''' silent '''s''' = '''Loûìê''', or (particularly in '''St. Loûís''') = '''Leŵís
Line 445: Line 612:


'''Louisiána''' *Loû-êasy-Ánna, one '''n
'''Louisiána''' *Loû-êasy-Ánna, one '''n
'''lòur''' = '''lòwer''' ''frown'', cf, '''lôwer


'''Loûrdes''' ''France'' = '''lûred''' ''lure
'''Loûrdes''' ''France'' = '''lûred''' ''lure


'''lòve''' cf. '''lôathe
'''lòusy'''
 
'''lòut'''
 
'''lòve''', cf. '''lôathe


'''lôw''' cf. '''låw
'''lôw''' ''high'' = '''lô''' (archaic) ''look'', cf. '''låw
 
'''lôwer''' ''low'', cf. '''lòwer''' = '''lòur
 
'''Lûcas


'''lûcre''' *lûker
'''lûcre''' *lûker
'''Lúddite
'''Lùfthansa''' *Lùft Hánsa


'''lúggage
'''lúggage
Line 460: Line 641:
'''lúmbar''' ''back'' = '''lúmber''' ''wood''
'''lúmbar''' ''back'' = '''lúmber''' ''wood''


'''lúscious''' *lúshous
'''lûrid'''; AmE also '''lürid'''
 
'''lúscious''' *lúshus


'''lúsh
'''lúsh
Line 466: Line 649:
'''lûte''' ''music'' = '''loôt''' ''spoils''
'''lûte''' ''music'' = '''loôt''' ''spoils''


'''lúvvie''', a satirical British word for an ''actor'' cf. '''lòve''', '''lòvey-dòvey
'''Lútyens''' can sound like *Lútchins
 
'''lúvvie''', a satirical British word for an ''actor'', cf. '''lòve''', '''lòvey-dòvey


'''Lúxemboürg
'''Lúxemboürg
'''Luxemboürgian''' ''nationality
'''Lúxemboürgish''' ''language
'''Lúxŏr'''
'''Lvív''' *Ləvív


'''lychêe''' is a more common spelling than '''lî'''-, '''lît'''- and '''litchì
'''lychêe''' is a more common spelling than '''lî'''-, '''lît'''- and '''litchì
'''lŷe''' ''chemical'' = '''lîe''' ''down, untrue


'''lŷing''' from '''lîe
'''lŷing''' from '''lîe
Line 478: Line 673:
'''lýnch''' = '''Lýnch''' ''person'', cf. '''línchpin
'''lýnch''' = '''Lýnch''' ''person'', cf. '''línchpin


'''lýnx''' ''animal'' = '''línks''' ''link''
'''lýnx''' ''animal'' = '''línks''' ''link'' = '''Líncs''' ''Lincolnshire''


'''Lỳón''' ''France'' cf. '''lîon''' ''animal''
'''Lỳón''' ''France'' = '''Lêón''' ''person'', cf. '''lîon''' ''animal''


'''Lŷra''' ''constellation'', cf. '''lìra''' ''currency
'''[[Lyra|Lŷra]]''' ''constellation'', cf. '''lìra''' ''currency


'''lŷre''' ''harp'' = '''lîar''' ''cheat''
'''lŷre''' ''harp'' = '''lîar''' ''cheat''


'''Lýttelton
'''lýric
 
'''Lỳse''' ''Doucet'' = '''lêes'''
 
'''Lysístrata''', '''Lysistràta'''
 
'''Lýttelton''', cf. '''líttle

Latest revision as of 12:05, 5 July 2017

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Use in English
Alphabetical word list
Retroalphabetical list  
Common misspellings  


This page lists pronunciations of English words that begin with L. To see a different letter navigate with the table above. The apostrophe is treated as the last letter of the alphabet, after Z.

For a pronunciation key, click on the blue "Catalogs" link below the article title.[e]

L = él railway

lâbel rhymes with tâble

labŏrious

lâbour BrE; AmE -or, cf. Lâbor Pàrty Australia, etc. and Lâbour Pàrty Britain, etc.

lâbourer BrE; AmE -or-

lábyrinth *lábrinth

lachrymôse *lacrimôse

lackadâisical

lácklustre/-er adjective one word

lácquer *lácker

láddies boys

lâdies women

lâdle

làger beer hard g, cf. soft g in làrger bigger

làh-dì-dàh

lâid egg, table, trap *lâyed

lâin down = lâne traffic

lãir hideout ≈ lâyer covering

lâissèz-fãire has a silent z: *lây-sây-fãir

lâíty rhymes with dèíty

lámb sheep = lám law, thrash

lambást or lambâste

lâme

lámè (may be written French-style lamé)

lamént

lámentable or laméntable

Lampedûsa: Italian has a voiced s, but unvoiced is usual in English

Lámplugh *Lámplə

LÁN local area network

lándscape

lâne road = lâin lie = Lâne, Lâine persons

lánguage *láng-gwij

lánguorous -uorou-: -ərə-

Làos nation = lòuse bug

lápdog one word

Láplánd

lápse negative = láps lap

largésse BrE; AmE can be largéss *larzhéss or = làrge S

làrva insect BrE = làva volcano

laságna *ləzánya, laságnê *ləzányi

lâser -z-; rhymes with râzor

lasso *lassoô

lāst

Làs Vègas: BrE usually *Lós Vègas because in AmE Làs = Lós, and/or by analogy with Lós Ángeles; some British speakers say Lás, as if "láss Vègas"

lâter, cf. látter

Látin

Latìno

làttè

látter

láttice cf. léttuce

låud praise = BrE lŏrd master

låudanum

lāughter rhymes with āfter

laundrétte

Låura

låureate BrE *lóriət

låurel BrE *lórrel

Låuren BrE Ló-

Låurence = Låwrence, BrE Ló-

Laurie = lórry, BrE ó, AmE å

làva volcano BrE = làrva insect

lávish, cf. slâvish

låw legal = BrE lŏre folk: *lŏ; many Francophones cannot distinguish this word, instead pronouncing it like lôw *ləù

Låwrence = Låurence as a boy's given name; the former, with w, is also a family name and as a given name is more common (u version is a girl's given name in French), BrE Ló-

låwyer *lŏyer

láx neglect = lácks lack

láxative

lây table, egg, snooker is a verb in its own right, past and past participle both lâid; even native speakers confuse lây with lîe down (past lây, past participle lâin): e.g. "laying low" for lŷing lôw

lâybŷ

lâyer covering ≈ lãir hideout

lâys = lâze lazy

lâze lazy = lâys table

lâzy

lêa grass = lêe shelter = Lêe = Lêigh persons

lêach percolate = leêch worm, sail = Lêach = Leêch persons

lêad first, guide, write, dog = lêde US journal (optional spelling to distinguish it from léad metal)

léad metal = léd took, past of lêad, cf. réad, past of rêad

Léad Bélly is pronounced with the stress on the first word, as if it were one word, *Léadbelly

lêader lead = lìêder songs

Léadsom

lêaf, singular of lêaves tree

lêak liquid = lêek vegetable

lêague *lêeg

Léamington Spà begins like lémming

lêan

léant lean = lént lend = Lént season

lêap

léapt

lëarn past: lëarned or lëarnt

lëarned as an attributive adjective gains a syllable: a *lëarníd mán

lêast less, cf. lést in case

lêaves leave, leaf—plural of lêaf tree and -s form of the verb lêave go

Lébanon -ənən; AmE -ón

léd guided (past of lêad) = léad metal (Léd Zéppelin is so spelt as to avoid mispronunciation)

lêde, AmE alternative spelling of lêad introduction, intended to avoid confusion with léad metal

lédger makes a minimal pair with BrE léisure

lée shelter = Lêe = Lêigh = Lêa persons = lêa grass

lêes dregs, cf. lêase contract, unvoiced s: minimal pair

leêch worm, sail = lêach percolate = Lêach = Leêch persons

Lêeds city = lêads lead

lêek vegetable = lêak liquid

lêer look = Lêar person

lé Fanu *Léfənu

léft hand, leave

léftie politics = léfty hand = Léfty = Léftie nicknames for lefty

légacy

lêgal

légend, cf. lédge

législâtive AmE; BrE législatíve

législâtor

législatûre

legítimacy

Léicester city = Léster person; each forms a minimal trio with Léinster and Léominster

Léinster Ireland

Leîpzig

léisure BrE *lézher; AmE lêisure *lêzher; BrE rhymes with méasure, pléasure and tréasure, and makes a minimal pair with lédger

leîtmotìf has the anglicised spelling pronunciation, while the alternative leîtmotìv resembles the original German

lêmur animal BrE = Lìma Peru

Lénnox

léns *lénze, plural lénses

lént lend = Lént season = léant lean

Lêô

Léominster *Lémstər, see Léicester

Lêón person = Lỳón France, cf. lîon animal

Léonard *Lénnərd = Lénnard

léopard animal = Léppard Def *lépərd (minimal pair with léper), cf. Léonard, jéopardy, also silent o

lêotàrd *lêətàrd

léper *lépər, rhyming with pépper, minimal pair with léopard

léprechåun *léprekåun

Lërner and Lôewe sounds like lëarner and lôw

Lerŏy or Lêroy, with variant spellings (R, -oi...)

Lés AmE = léss, BrE *Léz

lésbian

Lésbós

lèse-majesté *lâys-mázhestay

Lésley female = Léslie male

Lesotho *Lesûtû

léss more

léssen less = lésson school

lést in case, cf. lêast less

lêthal

léts allows = lét's suggestion

léttuce *léttis = Léttice, cf. láttice (minimal pair)

Levánt

lévee dam = lévy tax

lêver BrE (= lêaver leave); some AmE léver

lêverage BrE; AmE léverage, cf. béverage in both

Lêvî

Lévís, cf. Lêavis

lévy tax = lévee dam

Lêvy, Lévy persons

Leŵ rare = Loû normal (shortenings of Leŵis)

leŵd rhymes with rûde and feûd

Leŵis person, Scotland *Loôwis = Leŵes England

léxicon rhymes with Méxican

Lèyland

Leylándìî

Lhàsa

lîable, three syllables, cf. lîbel, two

liâisón *lì-âizón

lîar false = lŷre music, cf. lîe

Líb Dém

lîbel

lîbelous; BrE can be lîbellous

líberal

libertãrian

líberty

libìdo

Lìbra

lîbrary - first r and a may be silent

librãrian

Líbya, cf. Sýria

lîcence BrE noun only = lîcense

lîcensed *lîcenced

lîcensêe *lîcencee

lîcensure

licéntiate -shət

licéntious -shəss

lîchen plant = lîken compare

lícker lick = líquor drink

lícoríce AmE, líquoríce BrE *líckerish

líd = Lýdd

Lídl = Líddle = Líddell Alice

lîdo, lìdo

lîe untrue (past and past participle: lîed), down (past lây, past participle lâin), cf. lŷing, present participle and gerund of both; and lây table, egg, snooker as a verb in its own right, past and past participle both lâid: the usual mistake is lây instead of lîe = lŷe chemical

Líechtensteîn Lík-, Lísh- or Lích- country, cf. Líchtensteîn Lík- Roy

lîed untruth

lìêd song

lìêder songs = lêader lead

lìen *lêən, or = lêan

lieû in = loô toilet = Loû person

lieuténant AmE loôt-, BrE léft- or loôt-

lîfelong one word

lîfestyle one word

lîfetime one word

lígament

Lígeti: hard g, schwa

lîght = lîte, humorous or commercial spelling thereof

lîghtning flash *lîtning ≈ lîghtening lighten

lîkable or lîkeable

lîkelihood

lîkely

lîke-mînded

Likùd

lîlac

Lilóngwè

líly = Lýly

líly-lívered

límb *lím, cf. clîmb up = clîme climate

lîme, cf. Lŷme Rêgis

límô *límmo

limousìne *limmazêen

límp

línchpín, cf. lýnch

Líncoln *Língkən, *Linkən

Líndsay = Línzey = Líndsey Lincolnshire

lîne = Leŷne

línêage *línêíj, *línny-ij, cf. lîne

línêar

lîner

lîneúp can be hyphenated or two words

lingerie BrE *lánzhery, AmE *lànjə-rèy

línk, cf. lýnx, Líncs

Línux

lîon animal = Lŷon person, cf. Lỳón France

líp-rêad

líquefy, cf. líquid, líquidate

liqueûr chocolate *licûre

líquor whisky = lícker lick

líquoríce BrE, lícoríce AmE *líckerish

*lírrick (cf. límerick) lýric

Lísbon Portugal *Lízbən = BrE Lísburn Ireland, rhymes with Brísbane

Liskeârd

líst column, sway = Líszt Franz

lísten *líssen

lístless *lístlíss

lîte: humorous or commercial spelling of lîght, unsuitable in other contexts

líterary

líttoral shore = líteral words - or can be littorāl; or be spelt with only one t, lítoral

líturgy

Liû Xiaobǒ *Lyû Shòu-båw, as it is pronounced by some broadcasters, though in English -bô is what comes naturally

líve verb

lîve adjective, cf. lîfe noun

líver organ

lîver bïrd

Líverpoôl, cf. poôl

Liverpúdlian *Líver-púddlian, cf. púddle

lîvelihoòd

lîvely

lívery

líves verb

lîves life plural of lîfe

Líz

Ljubljàna´ *Lyùblyàna

llàma animal = làma Buddhism

Llandudno -dídno; see following

Llanélli: Welsh names featuring, very often initially, the voiceless alveolar fricative, IPA [ɬ], written Ll-, ll-, are pronounced by many non-Welsh speakers with the substitute 'thl-', so: *Thlanéthly—though this does not apply to the very common Llŏyd *Lŏyd (nor to Llèyton, a variant of Lèyton)

Llŏyds bank = Llŏyd's insurance *Lŏydz

lôad heavy, fill = lôde rock

lôan lend = lône alone

lôath unwilling has unvoiced th; its variant spelling lôth is perhaps preferable, to avoid confusion with lôathe, which is often used incorrectly in its place

lôathe hate has voiced th, *lôadh

lôathsome voiced th, no middle 'e'

lóbbyist *lóbbiest

lóch Scottish ch, like Arabic 'kh', phonetic symbol χ; Irish ones are lóugh, same pronunciation; cf. lóck

lóckjaw one word

lódge

Lodz *Wùdj

lôgo

Lôís

lolicon: stressless in Japanese; no standard English pronunciation

lóllipop

lólly

Lòndon

lône only = lôan money

lónger long, hard g sounded separately

longëur bore, g not sounded separately

longévity -njé-

Lóngfellow

loô toilet = Loû person = lieû in = Loôe Cornwall

loòkalike noun one word

loôm noun, verb

loôphole one word, no hyphen

loôse insecure *lûce, cf. lose lost = loôs loo *lûze: writing loôse for lose is perhaps the second most common mistake in English after ít’s for íts

loôsely

loôser more loose *lûcer, cf. loser lose *lûzer

loôt spoils = lûte music

lôpe

loquâcious

lŏre folk BrE = låw rule

lorry transport = Laurie person, AmE å, BrE ó

Lós Ángeles, cf. Làs Vègas

lose lost *lûze = loôs toilets, cf. loôse insecure *lûce

loser lose *lûzer, cf. loôser more loose

loses lû-, cf. lósses

losing lose *loôzing

lóss

lôth disinclined: variant spelling of lôath (unvoiced th), and arguably preferable, as it is further from lôathe hate (voiced th)

Loû person = loô toilet = lieû in; Loû is the normal shortening of Leŵis, Leŵ Hôad being an exception

loûche -sh

lòud

lóugh = lóch

Loúghborough *Lúffbərə

Loûìs silent s = Loûìê, or (particularly in St. Loûís) = Leŵís

Louìse *Loô-wêez

Louisiána *Loû-êasy-Ánna, one n

lòur = lòwer frown, cf, lôwer

Loûrdes France = lûred lure

lòusy

lòut

lòve, cf. lôathe

lôw high = lô (archaic) look, cf. låw

lôwer low, cf. lòwer = lòur

Lûcas

lûcre *lûker

Lúddite

Lùfthansa *Lùft Hánsa

lúggage

lúllabŷ

lúmbar back = lúmber wood

lûrid; AmE also lürid

lúscious *lúshus

lúsh

lûte music = loôt spoils

Lútyens can sound like *Lútchins

lúvvie, a satirical British word for an actor, cf. lòve, lòvey-dòvey

Lúxemboürg

Luxemboürgian nationality

Lúxemboürgish language

Lúxŏr

Lvív *Ləvív

lychêe is a more common spelling than lî-, lît- and litchì

lŷe chemical = lîe down, untrue

lŷing from lîe

lýmph

lýnch = Lýnch person, cf. línchpin

lýnx animal = línks link = Líncs Lincolnshire

Lỳón France = Lêón person, cf. lîon animal

Lŷra constellation, cf. lìra currency

lŷre harp = lîar cheat

lýric

Lỳse Doucet = lêes

Lysístrata, Lysistràta

Lýttelton, cf. líttle

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