Words Starting with "L"

Labetalol is a medication used to treat high blood pressure. It combines two types of blockers (alpha and beta) to reduce heart rate and relax blood vessels. In medical contexts, it’s typically discussed by clinicians and pharmacists and is pronounced with careful syllable emphasis to avoid misreading as unrelated terms.

Labia (lay-bee-uh) is plural noun referring to the folds of skin surrounding the vaginal and urethral openings. In anatomy, it denotes the outer lips (labia majora) and inner lips (labia minora). The term is clinical, neutral in tone, and used primarily in medical or educational contexts.

Labia majora are the larger, fleshy folds of the external female genitalia that surround and protect the clitoral hood and vaginal openings. They are typically hair-bearing and can vary in size and color, contributing to genital cushion and sexual signaling. This term is anatomical and used in medical, educational, and anatomical discussions.

Labia minora are the inner folds of skin surrounding the vaginal opening. This anatomical term, used in medical contexts, refers to the pair of delicate, hairless lips that lie inside the larger labia majora. The term is Latin in origin and commonly encountered in gynecological descriptions and sexual health discussions.

Labile is an adjective describing something that is unstable or easily altered. It often refers to systems, conditions, or substances that are prone to change or fluctuation. The term is commonly used in scientific, medical, and risk contexts to convey volatility or fragility.

Labneh is a creamy, strained yogurt cheese used as a spread or dip in Middle Eastern cuisine. It has a tangy flavor and thick, spreadable texture, typically served with olive oil and herbs. The term denotes a dairy product made by straining yogurt to remove whey, yielding a dense, yogurt-based cheese with a pleasantly tart profile.

Labor (noun) refers to work, especially systematic, strenuous, or prolonged effort, or the act of childbirth in medical contexts. It can denote the physical or mental exertion required to accomplish a task, or a grouping of workers organized for collective bargaining. The term appears across everyday work talk and technical or medical discourse, with emphasis on effort, process, or timing.

Laboratory (n.) a facility equipped for scientific experiments, research, and testing. It denotes a controlled environment where hypotheses are tested, data collected, and analyses performed, often containing specialized equipment and safety protocols. The term also appears in contexts like medicine, chemistry, and biology to describe rooms or buildings dedicated to experimental work.

Labradorite is a feldspar mineral prized for its iridescent optical effect called labradorescence. As a noun, it refers to the mineral used in jewelry and decorative carvings; its name derives from Labrador, Canada, where it was first described. In geology and gemology contexts, it’s typically treated as a proper noun when referring to the gemstone itself.

Labret is a noun referring to a lip ornament or piercing, historically worn in various cultures. It can also describe a labrette, a type of jewelry that inserts through the lip. In archaeology or anthropology contexts, it denotes a lip piercing accessory or the puncture itself. The term is specialized and rarely used outside jewelry or cultural studies.

Laburnum is a small ornamental tree (Genus Laburnum) notable for pendant clusters of yellow flowers in spring. It is often grown in gardens for its striking color and decorative value, though all parts are toxic if ingested. The word conveys a botanical, somewhat archaic aura and is typically used in formal or literary contexts.

Labyrinth (noun) refers to a complex network of winding passages or a structure so intricate that it is easy to get lost within. It also figuratively denotes something extremely intricate or perplexing. The term conveys mystery, curve, and confusion, and is often used in literature, architecture, and mythology to describe mazes and puzzling designs.

Labyrinthine is an adjective describing something highly intricate or maze-like in structure or arrangement. It conveys complexity and often suggests winding paths or convoluted details that are difficult to follow or understand.

Lace (noun) refers to a delicate fabric made of interwoven threads, often decorative and sheer, used in clothing and trim. It can also mean a cord or string used to fasten or decorate. In figurative use, lace can describe something embellished or intricate, such as lacework or the act of lacing something together. The term emphasizes fine texture and ornamentation rather than weight or bulk.

Lacedaemon is an ancient name for Sparta, used in classical texts and modern scholarly references. It refers to the city-state and its surrounding region in ancient Greece, and is often encountered in historical or literary contexts. The term is primarily literary and rarely used in everyday conversation, but may appear in academic discussions or translations of classical sources.

Lacedaemonians is a noun referring to the people of Lacedaemon (Sparta) in ancient or classical contexts. It can also describe anything pertaining to Lacedaemonian culture or its inhabitants. The term is rarely used in modern everyday speech but appears in classical studies, literature, and discussions of ancient Greek history.

Laceration is a wound produced by tearing of flesh, typically resulting in jagged edges. It can vary in depth and severity and is often caused by sharp or blunt trauma. In medical and forensic contexts, laceration describes an irregular, split opening in tissue rather than a clean incision.

Lacey is a female given name, often used as a noun referring to a person bearing that name. It can also describe a delicate lace-like texture or fabric pattern in certain contexts. The term typically carries a gentle, feminine association and appears in both everyday speech and literary usage.

Lacey Chabert is an American actress best known for her early role as Claudia Salinger on the soap All My Children and later as a lead in film franchises like Mean Girls. The two-part name is typically pronounced with stress on the first syllable of each name, yielding a light, airy American pronunciation. It is a proper noun, commonly spoken in media, interviews, and film credits.

Lachanophobia is a fear of vegetables, especially leafy greens. It’s a specific phobia that may provoke anxiety, avoidance, or distress at the thought or sight of vegetables. The term combines Greek roots for “vegetable” with “fear” and is used in medical or psychological contexts to describe this uncommon phobia.

Laches is a plural noun meaning delays or failures to act; historically it also refers to a legal defense based on inaction. In common use, it denotes procrastination or hesitation, sometimes with a legal connotation. The term appears in phrases like "laches defense" and carries a formal, sometimes archaic tone.

Lachesis is a proper noun referring to one of the three Fates in Greek mythology who spins the thread of human destiny. It is also used in scientific names and literary contexts. The term carries a formal, classical connotation and is pronounced with precise syllabic emphasis, often signaling erudition or mythic reference in scholarly or poetic usage.

Lachlan is a male given name of Scottish origin, commonly used in Australia and other English-speaking regions. It typically functions as a proper noun referring to a person. The pronunciation centers on a two-syllable structure with a darker initial vowel and a voiceless fricative in the middle, resulting in a crisp, distinct first name that’s easy to recognize in conversation.

Lack is a noun referring to the absence or shortage of something. It denotes a state where a required resource or quality is missing. It is commonly used to discuss insufficiency or need in contexts ranging from material goods to opportunities or abilities.