What is leg? Pronunciation and usage in English

leg means . Learn how to pronounce and use leg through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of leg

legnoun

/lɛɡ/
Definition & pronunciation of leg

The word "leg" in English is pronounced legh.

Here's a breakdown:

  • le - rhymes with "bed" or "red"
  • gh - This is a tricky sound! It's a voiceless velar fricative. Imagine trying to make a "g" sound, but instead of blocking the air, you create a very slight friction with the back of your tongue against the soft palate (the roof of your mouth). It’s a sound not found in many languages, so it can take practice. Think of it as a very light "h" sound mixed with a "g".

Resources to help you hear it:

Don't worry if you don't get it perfectly right away! It's a common challenge for learners. Just listen to native speakers and try to imitate the sound.

Usage and examples with the word leg in English

Let's break down how to use the word "leg" in English. It has several different meanings, and it's important to understand the context to use it correctly. Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. The Body Part (Most Common)

  • Definition: The limb of a human or animal, extending from the torso to the foot.
  • Examples:
    • "I twisted my leg while playing soccer."
    • "She has strong legs for a dancer."
    • "He broke his leg in the accident."
    • "My leg aches after a long walk."

2. Part of a Furniture Piece (Often with "table")

  • Definition: The supporting part of a table, chair, or other piece of furniture that holds it up.
  • Examples:
    • "The table legs are made of wood."
    • "He adjusted the table legs so it wouldn't wobble."
    • “The chair has three legs.”

3. Belonging to or Connected to Something

  • Definition: This is a more formal usage, related to the idea of being attached or connected to a larger system.
  • Examples:
    • “The decision is a leg of the legal process.” (Meaning "part" of the legal process.)
    • “A leg of the deal was the price.” (Meaning "aspect" or "condition" of the deal.)

4. (Slang/Informal - primarily in the US) - A Prostitute

  • Definition: This is a very dated and potentially offensive term. It refers to a woman involved in prostitution. Use with extreme caution and awareness of its historical and potentially harmful connotations.
  • Example: (I'm including this for completeness, but strongly advise against using this term unless you are studying historical texts or discussing it in a strictly academic context.) “She asked if I knew any legs in the city.”

5. (Baseball) - A Position

  • Definition: In baseball, “leg” refers to a defensive position, specifically the shortstop position.
  • Example: "The shortstop is a crucial leg for the defense."

Phrases Using "Leg":

  • Keep an eye on your legs: Be careful to watch where you're stepping.
  • Bend your legs: To lower yourself into a kneeling position.
  • Straighten your legs: To extend your legs fully.
  • Leg room: The space available for your legs in a vehicle or seat.
  • Test your legs: (Often used in fitness) to evaluate your strength and stamina.

Tips for Using "Leg" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "leg" is almost always determined by the context of the sentence.
  • Be mindful of slang: Avoid using the slang definition unless you are absolutely certain it’s appropriate and you understand the potential offense it can cause.
  • Pay attention to surrounding words: The words around "leg" will usually make its meaning clear.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "leg" in a specific context?
  • Explain a particular meaning of "leg" in more detail?

Synonyms for the word leg

Idioms of the word leg

as fast as your legs can carry you
as quickly as you can
    be on your/its last legs
    to be going to die or stop functioning very soon; to be very weak or in bad condition
      break a leg!
      (informal)used to wish somebody good luck, especially to an actor before they go on stage
        cost/pay an arm and a leg
        (informal)to cost/pay a lot of money
          get your leg over
          (British English, informal)to have sex
            have legs
            (informal)if you say that a news story, etc. has legs, you mean that people will continue to be interested in it for a long time
              not have a leg to stand on
              (informal)to be in a position where you are unable to prove something or explain why something is reasonable
              • Without written evidence, we don't have a leg to stand on.
              pull somebody’s leg
              (informal)to play a joke on somebody, usually by making them believe something that is not true
                shake a leg
                (old-fashioned, informal)used to tell somebody to start to do something or to hurry
                  stretch your legs
                  (informal)to go for a short walk after sitting for some time
                  • It was good to get out of the car and stretch our legs.
                  talk the hind legs off a donkey
                  (informal)to talk too much, especially about things that are boring or not important
                    with your tail between your legs
                    (informal)feeling ashamed or unhappy because you have been defeated or punished

                      Practice with vocabulary leg

                      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

                      1. After the accident, the athlete had to undergo extensive physical therapy to regain full mobility in their right ________.
                      2. The management team provided new employees with a detailed orientation, giving them a ________ up in understanding company procedures.
                      3. For optimal structural integrity, the ancient temple's roof was supported by sturdy marble ________s.
                      4. The new CEO decided to restructure the entire organization, breaking it down into several distinct ________s, each with its own focus.

                      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

                      1. Which of the following phrases describes taking a short walk, often to relieve stiffness? a) stretch one's imagination b) stretch one's ________ c) pull one's hair out d) make a beeline

                      2. The company is currently on the final ________ of negotiating the merger, expecting to finalize the deal next quarter. a) leg b) phase c) stage d) chapter

                      3. To succeed in the highly competitive market, the startup needs to develop a strong business plan that has good ________. a) legs b) head c) hand d) foot

                      4. The architect emphasized the importance of a robust ________ for the building's foundation, ensuring it could withstand seismic activity. a) limb b) beam c) base d) pillar

                      5. The research ________ of the university focuses primarily on sustainable energy solutions, collaborating with various industry partners. a) arm b) wing c) division d) leg

                      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

                      1. The long journey to the remote research facility was exhausting, especially the concluding part. Rewrite using "leg":
                      2. To ensure the project's success, a lot of initial investigation and planning is required. Rewrite using a related word form of "leg":
                      3. Despite their initial objections, the team eventually decided to give the new software a try. Rewrite without using "leg", replacing a part of the original meaning:

                      Answer:

                      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

                      1. After the accident, the athlete had to undergo extensive physical therapy to regain full mobility in their right leg.
                      2. The management team provided new employees with a detailed orientation, giving them a leg up in understanding company procedures.
                      3. For optimal structural integrity, the ancient temple's roof was supported by sturdy marble pillars.
                      4. The new CEO decided to restructure the entire organization, breaking it down into several distinct arms, each with its own focus.

                      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

                      1. b) stretch one's legs
                      2. a) leg, b) phase, c) stage
                      3. a) legs
                      4. b) beam, c) base, d) pillar
                      5. a) arm, b) wing, c) division

                      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

                      1. The long journey to the remote research facility was exhausting, especially the concluding part. Rewrite using "leg": The long journey to the remote research facility was exhausting, especially the final leg.
                      2. To ensure the project's success, a lot of initial investigation and planning is required. Rewrite using a related word form of "leg": To ensure the project's success, a lot of initial legwork is required.
                      3. Despite their initial objections, the team eventually decided to give the new software a try. Rewrite without using "leg", replacing a part of the original meaning: Despite their initial objections, the team eventually decided to give the new software a chance.

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