Love, lead, lighten – the letter L, located in the first half of the English alphabet, sparks the onset of a dynamic collection of truly uplifting and positive verbs. L injects a unique vigor into our language, powering the verbs it propels with a lively charm and enthusiasm. So, we had to ask: What are all the positive and impactful verbs starting with the letter L?
Some of the most used positive & impactful verbs that start with the letter L include love, lift, laud, liberate, lighten, luxuriate, lend, lead, laugh, and listen. There are many dozens of these lively words, ranging from 3 to 10 characters in length.
Join us as we delve into the beauty and significance of these verbs, uncovering their meanings and embracing the power they hold to create a positive impact in our daily lives. We’ll then also share the most used and the most interesting words starting with L as well as ten interesting facts about and a brief history of words starting with L.
In the diverse landscape of English grammar, words are categorized into various groups based on their functions within sentences. These groups, referred to as ‘part-of-speech,’ constitute the building blocks of language, enabling you to communicate your thoughts, ideas, and emotions effectively.
Verb: A verb is a word that represents an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. An example of a verb would be “lift.” In the sentence, “He lifted his friend’s spirits with a kind word,” “lifted” is the verb, showing the action performed.
Trivia: The average word length of our list of positive & impactful verbs that start with the letter L is a medium-long 5.8 characters, with the shortest words only having 3 characters (e.g., lap and let) and the longest words having 10 characters (e.g., liberating).
| Verbs | Description (with synonyms) | Example sentence |
| Labor | To work hard and diligently, often resulting in a sense of accomplishment and pride (to toil, to strive, to exert). | “I will labor tirelessly to ensure that this project is completed on time and to the best of my ability.” |
| Lactate | To produce milk, typically referring to female mammals, which is crucial for the nourishment of their young, and is also used in the production of dairy products (nourish, provide, sustain). | “The mother cow continues to lactate, providing her calf with the necessary nutrients for growth and development.” |
| Lactify | To cause a substance to become milky or creamy in appearance and texture, adding richness and depth to culinary creations (creamy, enrich, thicken). | “I used a blender to lactify the cashew milk, creating a creamy and delicious base for my vegan mac and cheese.” |
| Lament | Expressing grief or sorrow, lamenting is a cathartic way to process emotions and find closure (mourn, grieve, weep). | “After the loss of her beloved pet, she took time to lament and honor their memory.” |
| Land | To arrive on the ground after being in the air, often used in the context of airplanes or spacecrafts, symbolizing a successful completion of a journey (touch down, arrive, alight). | “The plane landed safely, and the passengers cheered in relief and excitement.” |
| Lap | To drink by scooping up liquid with the tongue, often done by animals (The dog lapped up the water from the bowl), (licked, slurped, sipped). | “The kitten eagerly lapped up the milk from the saucer, purring contentedly.” |
| Lapidify | To turn into stone, as if by magic, creating a sense of awe and wonder (petrify, solidify, fossilize). | “The artist’s skillful hands seemed to lapidify the clay into a stunning sculpture that left the audience in awe.” |
| Larder | A place where food is kept, often a pantry or cupboard, providing sustenance and nourishment for those who rely on it (stocking, storing, supplying). | “I larder my pantry with nutritious foods to ensure my family always has access to healthy meals.” |
| Largen | To increase in size or scale, indicating growth and expansion (expand, enlarge, grow). | “The company’s profits have largened significantly over the past year, allowing for new investments and opportunities.” |
| Lark | To engage in fun, carefree activity, signifying a joyful and playful spirit (play, frolic, romp). | “We decided to lark around in the park, enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company.” |
| Latch | To fasten or secure with a latch, indicating safety and security (secure, lock, clasp). | “I always feel safe and secure when I latch the door before going to bed.” |
| Latch-on | To quickly understand and begin to use a new concept or idea, demonstrating adaptability and eagerness to learn (grasp, comprehend, assimilate). | “After just a few minutes of training, the new employee was able to latch-on to the company’s software system and start working efficiently.” |
| Lattice | To form a structure of crossed wooden or metal strips, signifying a strong and intricate design (interlacing, crisscrossing, weaving). | “The skilled carpenter lattice the fence with precision, creating a beautiful and sturdy boundary for the garden.” |
| Laud | To praise or extol someone or something highly, often publicly, signifying admiration and appreciation (praise, acclaim, commend). | “The audience lauded the performer’s stunning rendition of the classic song.” |
| Laugh | To make sounds and movements of the face and body that show amusement or happiness, often contagious and bringing joy to others (amuse, chuckle, giggle). | “She laughed heartily at his joke, spreading joy and happiness throughout the room.” |
| Launch | To set in motion or introduce something new, often with great enthusiasm and energy, creating excitement and anticipation (inaugurate, commence, initiate). | “The company plans to launch a new product line next month, which is expected to generate a lot of buzz and increase sales.” |
| Lave | To wash or bathe, leaving one feeling refreshed and clean (cleanse, rinse, scrub). | “I lave my face every morning with cold water to wake myself up and feel refreshed for the day ahead.” |
| Lavish | To bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities, indicating a great deal of care and attention (generous, abundant, profuse). | “She always lavishes her love and attention on her children, making sure they feel valued and cherished.” |
| Lead | To guide or direct a group or organization towards a particular goal, demonstrating strong leadership skills and inspiring others to follow (guide, direct, steer). | “She was able to lead her team to victory with her exceptional communication and motivational skills.” |
| Leap | To jump or spring a long distance, often with great force or enthusiasm, demonstrating courage and a willingness to take risks (jump, bound, vault). | “She leaped over the hurdle with such grace and determination that the entire crowd erupted in cheers.” |
| Leaped | To have jumped or sprung a long distance, demonstrating strength and agility (leaped, vaulted, bounded). | “The athlete leaped over the high jump bar with ease, impressing the crowd with her strength and agility.” |
| Leapfrog | To advance quickly or surpass others, often by taking unconventional or innovative steps, signifying progress and success (outpace, exceed, outstrip). | “The company leapfrogged its competitors by introducing a revolutionary new product, propelling them to the forefront of the industry.” |
| Leaping | Moving quickly and energetically by jumping, often with excitement or joy, demonstrating a sense of freedom and enthusiasm (jumping, bounding, vaulting). | “The children were leaping with joy when they found out they were going to the amusement park.” |
| Leapt | Having jumped or sprung a long distance, demonstrating courage and determination (braved, vaulted, bounded). | “She leapt over the hurdle with ease, impressing her coach and teammates with her courage and determination.” |
| Learn | To acquire knowledge or skill through study, experience, or being taught, leading to personal growth and development (educated, informed, knowledgeable). | “I am excited to learn a new language so that I can communicate with people from different cultures and expand my understanding of the world.” |
| Learned | Having acquired knowledge through study or experience, indicating intelligence and a thirst for knowledge (educated, knowledgeable, informed). | “I learned how to code and now I can create my own website.” |
| Learnt | Having acquired knowledge or skill through study, experience, or being taught, indicating growth and development (educated, knowledgeable, informed). | “I learnt how to play the guitar and now I can entertain my friends and family with my music.” |
| Lease | To grant the temporary possession or use of something in exchange for payment, providing individuals and businesses with the opportunity to access resources they may not otherwise be able to afford (rent, hire, charter). | “I was able to lease a car for a month while my own vehicle was being repaired, allowing me to continue with my daily routine without any major disruptions.” |
| Leaven | To cause a substance to rise by adding a leavening agent, resulting in a light and fluffy texture (raise, ferment, activate). | “I always add a pinch of baking powder to my pancake batter to leaven it and make it fluffy.” |
| Legalize | To make something lawful or permissible, often leading to increased safety and regulation (legitimize, authorize, sanction). | “The government decided to legalize marijuana, which not only increased revenue but also allowed for better regulation and safety measures.” |
| Legitimize | To make something valid or acceptable, often used in the context of recognizing a previously unrecognized group or idea, promoting inclusivity and diversity (validate, authorize, sanction). | “The government’s decision to legitimize same-sex marriage was a huge step towards promoting equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.” |
| Lend | To give something to someone for a period of time, with the expectation that it will be returned, often with interest, signifying generosity and trust (loan, advance, provide). | “I am happy to lend you my car for the weekend.” |
| Lengthen | To make something longer in distance or duration, allowing for more time or space to accomplish a task (extend, elongate, stretch). | “I need to lengthen my daily exercise routine to improve my overall health.” |
| Lessen | To decrease in size, amount, or intensity, providing relief or ease (diminish, reduce, alleviate). | “The medication helped lessen the pain in my knee, allowing me to move more comfortably.” |
| Let | To allow or permit something to happen, often used to give permission or grant access (permit, authorize, enable). | “Let me know if you need any help with your project.” |
| Level | To advance to a higher level or position through hard work and dedication, indicating progress and achievement (progress, succeed, elevate). | “She worked tirelessly to level up in her career, and her dedication paid off when she was promoted to a higher position.” |
| Level-up | To advance to a higher level, indicating progress and achievement (improve, upgrade, elevate). | “After months of hard work and dedication, I was finally able to level-up in my career and earn a promotion.” |
| Leverage | To use something to maximum advantage, often in a strategic or tactical way, signifying resourcefulness and efficiency (exploit, utilize, harness). | “I was able to leverage my network to secure a job offer, showcasing my resourcefulness and efficiency in the job search process.” |
| Levitate | To rise or float in the air without any physical support, often used to describe a feeling of weightlessness or spiritual transcendence (hover, float, soar). | “During meditation, I was able to levitate and experience a sense of spiritual transcendence.” |
| Liaise | To establish a connection or communication between two or more parties, often to facilitate cooperation or exchange of information, signifying effective collaboration and coordination (coordinate, communicate, collaborate). | “I will liaise with the marketing team to ensure that our campaign aligns with their strategy.” |
| Liberate | To set free from oppression or confinement, allowing individuals to live with autonomy and dignity (free, emancipate, release). | “The activists worked tirelessly to liberate the prisoners of war, giving them a chance to live with autonomy and dignity.” |
| Liberating | To set free from oppression or confinement, allowing for personal growth and empowerment (emancipating, freeing, releasing). | “The therapy sessions were liberating for the patient, as they were finally able to confront and overcome their past traumas.” |
| Librate | To balance or oscillate, often used in the context of scientific experiments, demonstrating precision and accuracy (calibrating, measuring, adjusting). | “The scientist carefully librated the scale to ensure accurate measurements for the experiment.” |
| License | To give permission or legal authority to do something, indicating trust and responsibility (authorize, permit, sanction). | “The city council voted to license the new restaurant, indicating their trust in the owner’s ability to operate responsibly and legally.” |
| Lift | To raise or elevate something or someone to a higher position, often with effort and strength, demonstrating physical strength and determination (hoist, elevate, boost). | “I was able to lift the heavy box onto the top shelf, impressing my coworkers with my strength.” |
| Lighten | To make something less heavy or burdensome, bringing relief and ease (alleviate, ease, reduce). | “I decided to lighten my workload by delegating some tasks to my team members, which allowed me to focus on more important projects and reduced my stress levels.” |
| Lightening | To make or become lighter in weight, color, or mood, bringing a sense of relief and brightness (easing, brightening, alleviating). | “The news of her recovery was like lightening the heavy burden on our hearts.” |
| Like | To have a positive feeling towards something or someone, indicating enjoyment or appreciation (enjoy, appreciate, adore). | “I really like spending time with my family.” |
| Liked | Having a positive feeling towards something or someone, indicating enjoyment or approval (enjoyed, appreciated, favored). | “I really liked the new restaurant we tried last night, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was great.” |
| Limber | Being flexible and supple, allowing for ease of movement and reduced risk of injury (flexible, pliable, adaptable). | “After a few minutes of stretching, I felt my muscles limber up and I was able to move more freely during my workout.” |
| Lime | To apply a white substance to a surface, often used in construction or gardening, promoting healthy plant growth and preventing erosion (fertilizing, nourishing, enriching). | “I need to lime my garden to ensure my plants grow strong and healthy.” |
| Limit | To restrict or confine within certain boundaries or parameters, allowing for a more focused and efficient approach to a task or goal (constrain, confine, restrict). | “I need to limit my social media usage to increase my productivity.” |
| Link | To connect or associate with something else, indicating a relationship or correlation (linking, relating, connecting). | “The study aims to link the effects of exercise on mental health.” |
| Lionize | To treat someone with great admiration and respect, often elevating them to a celebrity-like status, signifying their exceptional qualities and achievements (idolize, glorify, exalt). | “The fans lionize their favorite athlete, praising their hard work and dedication both on and off the field.” |
| Liquefy | To turn a solid substance into a liquid state, making it easier to handle and use in various applications (melt, dissolve, liquify). | “After heating the chocolate, it began to liquefy and was perfect for drizzling over the cake.” |
| List | To create a list of items or things, indicating organization and preparedness (catalog, inventory, index). | “I need to list all the supplies we’ll need for the camping trip.” |
| Listen | To pay attention to and make an effort to hear and understand, showing respect and empathy towards others (attend, heed, tune in). | “I always try to listen to my friends when they need someone to talk to.” |
| Live | To be alive and actively participating in life, signifying a vibrant and engaged existence (thrive, flourish, prosper). | “I want to live my life to the fullest and experience all the joys and adventures it has to offer.” |
| Livel | To be full of life and energy, bringing enthusiasm and vitality to any situation (energize, invigorate, animate). | “Her infectious laughter and positive attitude never fail to livel up the room.” |
| Liven | To make something more exciting or interesting, bringing energy and enthusiasm to a situation (enliven, animate, invigorate). | “The live band really livened up the party and got everyone dancing.” |
| Living | To be alive and actively participating in the world, signifying a vibrant and engaged existence (thriving, flourishing, animated). | “I am living my best life, exploring new places and meeting new people every day.” |
| Loaf | To spend one’s time idly or aimlessly, often in a relaxed manner, signifying a break from the usual routine and a chance to recharge (laze, lounge, idle). | “After a long week of work, I like to loaf around the house and catch up on my favorite TV shows.” |
| Lobby | To try to influence a politician or official on an issue, signifying active participation in democracy and advocacy for a cause (advocate, campaign, push). | “I will lobby my local representative to support the bill that will provide better healthcare for all citizens.” |
| Localize | To identify the specific location or limits of something, indicating precision and accuracy (pinpointing, specifying, determining). | “The team was able to localize the source of the problem quickly, allowing them to fix it before it caused any further issues.” |
| Locate | To find the exact position of something or someone, often used in emergency situations or when searching for lost items, indicating resourcefulness and determination (find, discover, pinpoint). | “The search and rescue team was able to locate the missing hiker within hours, thanks to their extensive training and use of advanced technology.” |
| Lock | To fasten or secure with a lock, providing safety and security for one’s possessions (secure, protect, safeguard). | “I always lock my front door before going to bed to ensure the safety of my family and possessions.” |
| Loft | To throw or propel something high into the air, often with a sense of ease and grace, demonstrating skill and control (launch, heave, toss). | “She lofted the ball over the defender’s head and into the goal, scoring the winning point for her team.” |
| Loll | To recline or lean in a relaxed, lazy manner, often indicating a state of contentment or ease (lounging, lazing, idling). | “After a long day at work, I love to loll on the couch and watch my favorite TV show.” |
| Lollygag | To spend time aimlessly or to dawdle, often in a pleasant way, signifying a relaxed attitude towards time (loaf, lounge, saunter). | “I love to lollygag on lazy Sunday afternoons, reading a good book and sipping on a cup of tea.” |
| Looking | Observing with intent and focus, allowing for a deeper understanding of one’s surroundings and potential opportunities (observing, examining, scrutinizing). | “I was looking at the intricate details of the painting, and it helped me appreciate the artist’s skill even more.” |
| Loosen | To make something less tight or restrictive, allowing for greater movement or flexibility, often used in the context of physical objects (relax, ease, slacken). | “I gently loosened the knot in the rope, allowing the sail to unfurl and catch the wind, propelling us forward.” |
| Lope | To move or run with long, bounding strides, indicating a sense of freedom and energy (gallop, bound, skip). | “She lope through the fields, feeling the wind in her hair and the sun on her face.” |
| Love | To have a strong affection or admiration for someone or something, often leading to positive actions and emotions towards them (adore, cherish, appreciate). | “I love spending time with my family and it brings me so much joy.” |
| Loved | To have a strong affection or admiration for someone or something, showing deep emotional connection and appreciation (cherished, adored, treasured). | “I loved spending time with my grandparents when I was a child, and their stories and wisdom have stayed with me throughout my life.” |
| Lubricate | To apply a substance to reduce friction and allow smooth movement, ensuring the longevity of machinery and equipment (oil, grease, slick). | “I always make sure to lubricate my bike chain before going on a long ride to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.” |
| Lucubrate | To work diligently and studiously, often late into the night, in order to achieve a goal or complete a task, demonstrating a strong work ethic and dedication to success (labor, toil, strive). | “She lucubrated for weeks on end to prepare for her final exams, and her hard work paid off with excellent grades.” |
| Lull | To calm or soothe someone to sleep, creating a peaceful and relaxed environment (soothe, pacify, tranquillize). | “The sound of the waves lulls me into a peaceful sleep every night.” |
| Luminate | To emit light, to brighten or illuminate (shining a light on a subject, making it clearer and easier to understand) (brighten, light up, irradiate). | “The fireworks display will luminate the night sky, bringing joy and excitement to all who watch.” |
| Lure | To entice or attract someone or something, often with the promise of reward or pleasure, demonstrating the power of persuasion and charm (tempt, entice, attract). | “The new restaurant lured in customers with its delicious smells and inviting atmosphere.” |
| Lustrate | To purify or cleanse by a propitiatory offering, signifying a spiritual renewal and purification (cleanse, purify, sanctify). | “The priest will lustrate the temple before the ceremony to ensure that it is purified and sanctified for the worshippers.” |
| Luxuriate | To enjoy oneself in a luxurious way, signifying indulgence and relaxation (pamper, bask, revel). | “After a long week of work, I plan to luxuriate in a bubble bath with a glass of wine and a good book.” |
Now that we’ve covered all verbs starting with L that inherently exude positivity and impact, let’s complete the list and shift gears to another exciting set of words. These next words might not generally spell ‘positivity’ or ‘impact’ but when used thoughtfully, can surely add a positive & impactful spin to any conversation.
This next set of words exemplifies the beauty of language – their meaning is not just fixed but can be shaped by the context they are used in. So, try to use these words too, to have a bigger positive impact with your conversations.
The letter L appears in about 4% of words used in the English language. Meaning that it is a moderately used letter in terms of letter frequency (btw, this is the full ranking, with the letters arranged from most to least frequent: etaoinshrdlcumwfgypbvkjxqz).
Yet, some verbs beginning with L are used more often than others. Below are some of the most used positive and impactful verbs that start with the letter L:
The frequency of how many times you want to use verbs that start with the letter L is entirely in your hands! We believe our list lavished a litany of lively words with L, lighting up your dialogue lovingly. We assure you, you found it liberating and lucid to lace your words with these whenever you sought a lick of laughter or a lot of love in your speech or prose!
Let’s take a step back and have a look at the bigger picture of our words with L. Let’s launch into the labyrinths of the letter L, a trove of linguistic treasures. Here are ten luminary words that start with L:
From the loquacious to the lachrymose, these words light up our linguistic landscape, each layered with its distinct connotations and contexts.
Let’s dive into the world of words with the letter L. From its historical roots to its importance in diverse fields, discover the allure of one of the most versatile letters in the English alphabet: L.
We hope you found these facts about words with L enlightening—or that they’ve lit up a spark of curiosity in you. When you use a word with L, embrace the long lineage and lore of this lovely letter.
L’s journey starts in ancient Egypt, where it was symbolized by a glyph representing a lion and carried a sound similar to /l/.
The Phoenicians adopted this character, modifying its shape into a shepherd’s staff or a goad, a tool used to guide livestock. They called it “lamed,” and it represented the /l/ sound.
The Greeks borrowed the Phoenician alphabet and adapted lamed into their own letter “lambda.” Lambda had a form similar to an upside-down V and maintained the /l/ sound. During the development of the Greek alphabet, the shape of lambda shifted to its present-day form, looking like a right-angled, bottom-heavy triangle.
The Etruscans, an ancient Italian civilization, took the Greek alphabet, including lambda, and incorporated it into their own script.
The Romans then adopted the Etruscan version of lambda when they created the Latin alphabet, keeping its form and sound. This is the L we recognize today.
In modern English, L still represents the /l/ sound, showing remarkable continuity throughout its history. In handwriting, L often has a loop in its tail, a detail that has been carried into some typographic fonts.
In contemporary usage, L holds a variety of symbolic meanings. In the realm of entertainment, it’s used to indicate ‘loss’ in gaming vernacular. In transportation, L is often associated with learner drivers. In physics, L stands for inductance. In Roman numerals, L denotes the number 50.
From an Egyptian lion to its place in the English alphabet, the history of L is a compelling story of evolution and adaptation. It’s a testament to the longevity and flexibility of written language, showing how ancient characters continue to influence our modern systems of communication.
Expanding your vocabulary is akin to broadening your intellectual horizons and enhancing your capacity to express your thoughts and emotions with precision. By embracing verbs like ‘lift,’ ‘laud,’ and ‘liberate,’ you’re not just learning new actions, but you’re also gaining nuanced ways to communicate positivity and purpose. ‘Lift’ can elevate a simple ‘raise’ to spirited heights, ‘laud’ intensifies ordinary praise, and ‘liberate’ takes ‘free’ to a profound release.
The more words you have at your disposal, the more accurately and vividly you can paint your thoughts into speech and writing. So, by growing your vocabulary, especially with positive and impactful words, you’re empowering yourself to engage more effectively and inspiringly with the world around you.
