English Vocabulary - Archives

For each word, you will get the meaning and the root of the word and synonyms and antonyms for the word. For each word, you will also get a simple sentence which uses the word. These sentences help you understand the usage of the words.

LABORIOUS (adj)

Meaning
difficult, arduous
Root of the word
labor = work
Synonyms
protracted, lengthy, backbreaking, painstaking
Antonyms
easy, simple
Usage
The manager tried to cover up the team's performance with rather laborious arguments.

LABOURED (adj)

Meaning
not natural
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
contrived, stiff, strained, forced, unnatural, artificial, mannered, studied, affected, overdone, po
Antonyms
natural
Usage
His joke, which was rather laboured, failed to evoke laughter.

LACHRYMOSE (adj)

Meaning
tearful or sad
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
tearful, weeping, crying, teary, sobbing, woeful, unhappy, depressed, miserable
Antonyms
cheerful, laughing, happy
Usage
Since I am a jovial person, lachrymose films do not appeal to me

LACKADAISICAL (adj)

Meaning
not showing enough care or enthusiasm.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
careless, lazy, lax, unenthusiastic, lukewarm, indifferent
Antonyms
enthusiastic, excited
Usage
The government's lackadaisical attitude in preventing the spread of the epidemic led to several deaths.

LACONIC (adj)

Meaning
using very few words
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
brief, concise, terse, incisive, compendious
Antonyms
verbose, long-winded
Usage
His style of writing, though laconic, is easy to comprehend.

LAGGARD (noun)

Meaning
a person who falls behind others.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
straggler, loiterer, sluggard, snail, delayer, idler, loafer, lounger, shirker, layabout.
Antonyms
-
Usage
Being a laggard, he could never keep pace with his friends either in academics or in sports.

LAISSEZ-FAIRE (noun)

Meaning
the process of allowing private businesses to develop without government control.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
free enterprise, private enterprise, free trade, individualism, non-intervention, free market capita
Antonyms
-
Usage
The laissez faire approach adopted by the government was criticized by puritans as an imprudent move.

LAMENT (verb)

Meaning
to feel or express great sadness or disappointment about somebody or something.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
bemoan, bewail, deplore, regret, rue
Antonyms
celebrate, rejoice.
Usage
Many old-timers lamented the demolition of antique structures in the city in the name of modernization.

LAMPOONED (verb)

Meaning
ridiculed
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
satirized, mocked
Antonyms
-
Usage
The press lampooned the ruling party for not bringing in any reform in their education policy.

LANGUID (adj)

Meaning
having or showing a disinclination for physical exertion
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unenergetic, relaxed, listless, inactive, spiritless, lethargic, idle, inert, torpid, sluggish, unen
Antonyms
energetic, active
Usage
She is irritated by his languid attitude as she has always been a person who is full of energy and vigour.

LAPSE (noun and verb)

Meaning
a slight error; become void or no longer valid
Root of the word
laps = slip
Synonyms
slip, momentary failure, come to an end, gap
Antonyms
-
Usage
Even momentary lapse in concentration on busy roads could prove hazardous.

LARCENY (noun)

Meaning
the crime of stealing something from somebody; an occasion when this takes place, act of stealing something
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
stealing, robbery, pilfering, thievery, purloining, burglary, housebreaking
Antonyms
-
Usage
The notorious duo was sentenced to imprisonment on charges of larceny. Recently a famous socialite was sentenced to imprisonment when he was proved guilty of larceny.

LARDER (noun)

Meaning
a room or large cupboard for storing food.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
pantry, storeroom, cooler scullery, food store
Antonyms
-
Usage
My mother and the maid were planning to go for a shopping to replenish the larder.

LARGESSE (noun)

Meaning
generosity
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
generosity, liberality, bountifulness, bounty, benefaction
Antonyms
meanness, miserliness
Usage
The philanthropist was extolled for his largesse.

LASSITUDE (noun)

Meaning
physical or mental weariness
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
lethargy, listlessness, weariness, languor, sluggishness, enervation, sloth, apathy
Antonyms
vigour, energy
Usage
The travellers were overcome by lassitude after the long and arduous journey.

LATITUDE (noun)

Meaning
scope for freedom of action or thought.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
freedom, scope, leeway, elbow room, breathing space, space, room, flexibility, liberty, independence
Antonyms
constraint, restriction
Usage
Being a blue-eyed boy of the boss, he is given the latitude to work at flexible timings.

LAX (adj)

Meaning
not strict severe or careful enough about rules or standards of behaviour
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
slack, slipshod, negligent, neglectful, heedless, unmindful
Antonyms
stern, careful
Usage
Lax supervision led to mass-copying in the examination.

LEEWAY (noun)

Meaning
the amount of freedom to move or act that is available
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
freedom, scope, latitude, liberty, flexibility, independence, licence
Antonyms
constraint, restriction
Usage
A few corporate houses offer employees the leeway to work flexitime.

LEGACY (noun)

Meaning
something handed down by a predecessor
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
bequest, inheritance, heritage, bequeathal, bestowal, benefaction, endowment, gift, patrimony, heirl
Antonyms
-
Usage
We must be proud of our country's rich legacy of culture and heritage.

LEGATEE (noun)

Meaning
a person who receives money or property
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
beneficiary, inheritor, heir, heiress, recipient, receiver, payee, assignee
Antonyms
-
Usage
Since her uncle did not have any children of his own, she became the sole legatee to his vast property.

LEGERDEMAIN (noun)

Meaning
skilful use of one's hands when performing tricks
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
sleight of hand, juggling, conjuring, magic, wizardry, illusion, dexterity
Antonyms
-
Usage
The authorities' attempt to hush up the case at the behest of those in power, is a classic case of political and bureaucratic legerdemain.

LEGIBLE (adj)

Meaning
readable
Root of the word
leg/lec/lex = read, speak
Synonyms
intelligible, understandable, decipherable, comprehensible, clear
Antonyms
illegible
Usage
Jona's writing is barely legible.

LEGION (noun)

Meaning
a large number of people of one particular group
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
horde, host, throng, multitude, crowd, drove, mass, mob, rabble, gang, swarm, flock, herd, body, pac
Antonyms
-
Usage
A legion of photographers and press men waited at the airport for the celebrity's arrival.

LEGITIMATE (adj)

Meaning
related to being lawful or legal
Root of the word
leg = law, contract
Synonyms
lawful, reasonable
Antonyms
unlawful, unreasonable
Usage
It is absolutely legitimate for the courts to deal firmly with terrorists.

LENIENT (adj)

Meaning
not as strict as expected when punishing somebody or when making sure that rules are obeyed
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
merciful, clement, sparing, forgiving, forbearing, tolerant, moderate, charitable, humane, indulgent
Antonyms
merciless, severe, strict
Usage
Although he was guilty of violating the traffic rule, the cops were lenient with him and let him go without paying the fine.

LESION (noun)

Meaning
damage to the skin or part of the body caused by illness or injury.
Root of the word
Latin word ‘Laesio' which means ‘injure'.
Synonyms
wound, bruise, injury, scratch, gash, ulceration, sore, mark, cut, canker
Antonyms
-
Usage
The doctor assured her that the lesions on her face were only superficial and hence would heal in a couple of months.

LEST (conjunction)

Meaning
in order to prevent something from happening
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
in case, for fear that, in order to avoid, to avoid the risk of
Antonyms
-
Usage
I caught hold of my brother's hand lest he should get lost in that crowd.

LET-DOWN (noun)

Meaning
something that is disappointing because it is not as good as it was expected to be
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
disappointment, disillusionment, anticlimax, comedown, non-event, fiasco, setback, frustration, blow
Antonyms
-
Usage
The bonfire party was a big let-down due to the untimely rain which caught us unawares.

LETHARGIC (adj)

Meaning
lacking energy and enthusiasm.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
apathetic, idle, inactive, indolent lazy.
Antonyms
vigorous, energetic, animated
Usage
Hot and muggy weather tends to make a person lethargic

LEVEL-HEADED (adj)

Meaning
calm and sensible
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
practical, realistic, prudent, circumspect, pragmatic, wise, reasonable, sober
Antonyms
excitable
Usage
He is a very level – headed person and seldom loses his balance even when provoked.

LEVITATE (verb)

Meaning
rise and float in the air
Root of the word
lev = raise, lift, make light
Synonyms
-
Antonyms
-
Usage
The magician's assistant appeared to levitate in the air under the spell of hypnosis.

LEVITY (noun)

Meaning
lack of serious thought; light-heartedness
Root of the word
lev = raise, lift, make light
Synonyms
humour, cheerfulness, jokiness, flippancy
Antonyms
gravity
Usage
Such levity in religious matters may not endear you to many.

LEXICON (noun)

Meaning
dictionary
Root of the word
leg/lec/lex = read, speak
Synonyms
glossary, word list
Antonyms
-
Usage
You may find colloquial words in the lexicon.

LIAISE (verb)

Meaning
to form a link (with)
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
cooperate, work together, collaborate; communicate, intercommunicate, exchange information, network,
Antonyms
-
Usage
Civilians should liaise with the police and the army to combat terrorism.

LIBATION (noun)

Meaning
a drink poured out as an offering to a god.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
offering, tribute, dedication, oblation, sacrifice.
Antonyms
-
Usage
People offered flowers, offerings and libations at the shrine of the goddess.

LIBEL (noun)

Meaning
character assassination
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
defamation, calumny, misrepresentation, scandal mongering
Antonyms
-
Usage
He filed a defamation suit against the media, accusing it of libel.

LIBERAL (adj)

Meaning
open-minded, generous
Root of the word
liber = free
Synonyms
tolerant, broadminded, moderate, freethinking, laissez-faire, noninterventionist
Antonyms
narrow-minded, insular, parochial conservative
Usage
A liberal pay package alone may not enhance productivity.

LIBERATE (verb)

Meaning
set free; free from conventional ideas about behaviour.
Root of the word
liber = free
Synonyms
unshackle, unfetter, free
Antonyms
confine, fetter
Usage
The woman of today is more liberated when compared to her ancient counterpart.

LIBERTINE (noun)

Meaning
a person who lives an irresponsible life and immoral life
Root of the word
liber = free
Synonyms
debauchee, profligate, lecher, reprobate, hedonist
Antonyms
puritan
Usage
The libertine led a life of idleness and dissipation and eventually died penniless.

LIEGE (noun)

Meaning
a lord or superior
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
lord, feudal lord, seigneur, suzerain, overlord, master, chief, chieftain, superior, monarch, sovere
Antonyms
-
Usage
Lieges of the olden days were notorious for harassing their subjects.

LIFEBLOOD (noun)

Meaning
a vital factor or force
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
life force, life, essential part, animating spirit, moving force, driving force, vital spark, vital
Antonyms
-
Usage
Agriculture is the lifeblood of the country's economy.

LIMPID (adj)

Meaning
clear and transparent
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
lucid, clear, plain, understandable, intelligible, comprehensible, perceptible, coherent
Antonyms
unintelligible
Usage
His limpid style of writing, bereft of all the trappings of ornamentation, was comprehensible even to the lay man.

LINEAMENTS (pl noun)

Meaning
the features of the face.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
distinctive features, distinguishing characteristics, hallmarks, properties, traits, form, outline,
Antonyms
-
Usage
She was a very attractive woman with a flawless complexion and fine lineaments.

LINGUA FRANCA (noun)

Meaning
dialect, a common language used among people whose native languages are different
Root of the word
ling/lingu = tongue
Synonyms
lingo, language, dialect, argot
Antonyms
-
Usage
People from different parts of India find it easy to get on in Mumbai as the lingua franca is Hindi.

LITANY (noun)

Meaning
a long boring account of a series of events, reasons etc.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
recital, repetition, list, listing, catalogue, roll, inventory.
Antonyms
-
Usage
She listened patiently to the litany of complaints which the children made against each other.

LITERAL (adj)

Meaning
taking words in their usual or primary sense without metaphor or allegory
Root of the word
litera = letter
Synonyms
honest, accurate, exact, unembroidered, unembellished, plain
Antonyms
figurative
Usage
Literal translations may sound very bland.

LITERATE (adj)

Meaning
able to read and write
Root of the word
litera = letter
Synonyms
cultured, erudite, learned, literary, knowledgeable
Antonyms
illiterate, unlettered
Usage
Kerala has the maximum number of literates in India.

LITIGATION (noun)

Meaning
the process of making or defending a claim in a court of law.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
legal proceeding(s), legal action, lawsuit, legal dispute, legal case, action, cause, legal process,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The litigation between the two parties, which went on for nearly three years, finally ended in an amicable settlement.

LITURGICAL (adj)

Meaning
relating to a fixed form of public worship used in churches.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ceremonial, ritual, solemn, sacramental, church
Antonyms
-
Usage
The choir group sang melodiously to the accompaniment of liturgical music.

LOATHSOME (adj)

Meaning
causing hatred or disgust
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
hateful, detestable, abhorrent, repulsive, odious, repugnant, repellent, disgusting, revolting
Antonyms
loveable, delightful, pleasant
Usage
It is loathsome to watch able-bodied young men resorting to begging.

LOCALE (noun)

Meaning
the scene of an event
Root of the word
loca = place
Synonyms
backdrop
Antonyms
-
Usage
The locale did not get the approval from the Director of the movie.

LODESTAR (noun)

Meaning
a principle that guides somebody's behaviour or actions
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
guide, guiding light, guiding star, role model, model, luminary, exemplar, ideal, inspiration; crite
Antonyms
-
Usage
Expanding its business operations to offshore markets is the company's lodestar.

LONG-WINDED (adj)

Meaning
tediously wordy and circumlocutory
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
lengthy, long, overlong, prolonged, protracted, interminable, tedious, wearisome, boring, discursive
Antonyms
concise, succinct, laconic
Usage
It was an ordeal to sit through his long-winded speech.

LOPSIDED (adj)

Meaning
with one side lower or smaller than the other
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
asymmetrical, uneven, unequal, askew, crooked
Antonyms
even, level, balanced
Usage
The members of the opposition party accused the government of adopting lopsided policies.

LOQUACIOUS (adj)

Meaning
wordy
Root of the word
locu/loqu/logue/logy/lix = speak, speech
Synonyms
talkative, garrulous, rambling, long-winded, effusive
Antonyms
taciturn
Usage
The loquacious speaker kept on talking for three hours.

LOTUS-EATER (noun)

Meaning
day dreamer
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fantasizer, romantic
Antonyms
practical, pragmatic
Usage
These unemployed youth seem to have become lotus-eaters.

LOURING (adj)

Meaning
dark and threatening.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
overcast, dark, leaden, grey, cloudy, gloomy
Antonyms
sunny, bright
Usage
A louring sky portends an imminent storm.

LOWBROW (adj)

Meaning
not highly intellectual or cultured
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
mass-market, tabloid, pop, popular, intellectually undemanding, lightweight, easy to understand
Antonyms
highbrow, intellectual
Usage
His novels, being lowbrow, do not appeal to discerning readers.

LUCID (adj)

Meaning
clear, sane, articulate
Root of the word
luc/lum/lus = light, shine
Synonyms
cogent, coherent, logical, reasoned, simple, plain
Antonyms
complicated
Usage
Since the explanation was absolutely lucid I think no one has any question to ask.

LUCRE (noun)

Meaning
money obtained through dishonest means
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
money, cash, funds, capital, finance, riches, wealth, spoils, ill-gotten gains, profit, gain, procee
Antonyms
-
Usage
The venal politician gloated over his filthy lucre.

LUDICROUS (adj)

Meaning
absurd, ridiculous
Root of the word
lud/lus = play
Synonyms
comical, foolish, stupid, farcical, nonsensical, preposterous
Antonyms
sensible
Usage
The drama was absolutely ludicrous.

LUGUBRIOUS (adj)

Meaning
sad and dismal
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
mournful, gloomy, sad, doleful
Antonyms
cheerful, joyful
Usage
A lugubrious atmosphere prevailed over the city following the leader's assassination.

LUMINARY (noun)

Meaning
a person who inspires or influences others
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
leading light, inspiration, leader, expert, master, dignitary, celebrity, public figure, legend
Antonyms
nobody, plebian
Usage
Although he was a fledgeling artist, his work was well appreciated by the leading luminaries of the art world.

LUNATIC (noun)

Meaning
madman
Root of the word
luna = moon
Synonyms
an insane person
Antonyms
sane person
Usage
The lunatic troubled everyone in the locality.

LUSTROUS (adj)

Meaning
shiny
Root of the word
lus = light, shine
Synonyms
glossy, gleaming, radiant, shimmering, glistening
Antonyms
dull
Usage
Her lustrous hair has been her crowning glory.