Words that start with L

Lentils are a pulse, which means they grow seeds in pods like beans and peas but they are harvested when the seeds are dry. Beans and peas that are not picked fresh but are left to dry out first are also called pulses. Lentils are eaten all over the world, and are good food for people who do not eat meat. They can be made into soup, stews and curries. They cannot be eaten raw, and need to be cooked before you can eat them. If you soak lentils overnight before you cook them, they are easier to digest.

The leopard is the fourth largest big cat, after the jaguar. Leopards are very similar to jaguars, but are slightly smaller and have a different pattern of spots. Leopards are not fussy and will eat anything they can catch and kill.

A leprechaun is a kind of Irish fairy. Leprechauns are usually little, older men wearing a green suit. Leprechauns make mischief, and store gold in a pot at the end of the rainbow. They are said to be able to grant wishes.

A letter can mean one of two things. A letter is either a letter in the alphabet, like the list of letters at the top of this page. Or a letter is something you write to someone, put in an envelope and then send in the mail.

The lettuce is a sweet, light vegetable. People eat the leaves of the lettuce, not the flowers or roots. Lettuce is a favourite of rabbits and snails.