Legs

ˈleɡz

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Either of the two lower limbs of a human being, or the corresponding limbs of an animal.

ˈleɡz

nounneutralBeginner
General

The limbs on which a person or animal walks and stands.

The dog wagged its tail and stretched its front legs.

💡 Simply: Your legs are the parts of your body that help you move around. Like, if you want to run to get ice cream, you use your legs!

👶 For kids: The parts of your body that help you walk, run, and jump!

More Examples

2

She broke her leg in the accident.

3

He had to use crutches to walk after the surgery on his leg.

How It's Used

Anatomy

"The athlete strained a leg during the race."

Everyday Life

"She has beautiful legs."

2

A supporting part of an object, such as a table or chair.

ˈleɡz

nounneutralBeginner
General

A support for furniture.

The table had four sturdy legs.

💡 Simply: Sometimes legs are not on your body, but on a table or chair! They help keep the furniture up.

👶 For kids: The things that hold up a table or chair.

More Examples

2

One of the legs on the chair was wobbly.

3

He repaired the broken leg of the stool.

How It's Used

Furniture

"The table had four sturdy legs."

Tip:Think of the parts that hold up a table or chair.
3

A part of a journey, race, or other event.

ˈleɡz

nounneutralmedium
Arts

A section or stage of a journey or race.

The team won the first leg of the race.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're on a trip! The 'leg' of your trip is each part of it, like the drive to the airport or the flight itself.

👶 For kids: A part of a trip, a race or any event.

More Examples

2

The final leg of the journey was the most scenic.

3

We'll cover the first leg of the fundraising campaign this quarter.

How It's Used

Travel/Sports

"The final leg of the journey was the most challenging."

Tip:Think of the different 'legs' of a journey as individual steps.

Idioms & expressions

to break a leg

Used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.

"Break a leg in the play tonight!"

have legs

Likely to continue, develop, or become successful.

"The new product launch seems to have legs and is gaining popularity."

From Old Norse *læggr* (singular 'leg'), related to Old English *lim* (limb).

The word 'legs' has been used since the Old English period, evolving from its original meaning of 'limbs' to include other meanings such as the supports for furniture and parts of a journey.

Memory tip

Think of the limbs you use to run and walk.

legsleggs

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written