leg
leg
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "leg" is /lɛɡ/.
/lɛɡ/
Word Form Variations
Noun: leg (singular), legs (plural)
Verb: leg (present tense, informal), legs (third person singular present), legging (present participle), legged (past tense, past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: Each of the limbs on which a person or animal walks and stands.
Synonyms: limb, lower limb, member
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "torso" or "upper body" as contrasting parts)
Definition 2: A part of a garment that covers a leg.
Synonyms: pant leg, trouser leg, sleeve (by analogy for arms)
Antonyms: waistband, cuff (referring to the end part, not the whole section)
Definition 3: A supporting or structural part of an object, typically long and slender, that provides support and stability.
Synonyms: support, brace, prop, pillar, stand
Antonyms: top, surface, body (of the object)
Definition 4: A distinct section or stage of a journey, race, or competition.
Synonyms: stage, segment, section, stretch, part
Antonyms: entirety, whole, entirety of trip
Verb
Definition 1 (informal): To walk or run quickly; to move on foot, often with effort.
Synonyms: run, sprint, dash, hurry, scurry, move
Antonyms: stand, stop, halt, crawl (to move slowly)
Definition 2 (informal): To provide or attach a leg or legs to something.
Synonyms: prop up, support, brace, mount (when referring to adding legs)
Antonyms: remove (legs), dismantle, unmount
Examples of Use
Books:
"He had a long, graceful leg, perfect for striding across the uneven terrain of the moor." (Fictional example from a descriptive novel)
"The antique table had one broken leg, making it unstable and difficult to use." (From a non-fiction book on furniture restoration)
"The final leg of the journey proved to be the most challenging, traversing treacherous mountain passes." (From an adventure narrative)
Newspapers:
"The athlete suffered a serious leg injury during the championship match, forcing him out of the game." ("The Daily Monitor,")
"New regulations aim to give the police more leg room in enforcing traffic laws." ("The East African,")
"The second leg of the peace talks is scheduled to begin next week in Geneva." ("The Standard,")
Online Publications:
"Exercises to strengthen your core and leg muscles for better running performance." (An article on "Runner's World Online,’’)
"This viral video shows a dog with three legs demonstrating incredible agility." (A human interest story on "Bored Panda,")
"The new software aims to give developers a leg up on the competition with advanced features." (A tech review on "Ars Technica,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Break a leg!" (A common good luck phrase spoken before a performance, e.g., in a film about theater)
Television Series: "We've got one more leg to go before we reach the finale." (Dialogue from a reality competition show, e.g., "The Amazing Race")
Song Lyrics: "I've got no leg to stand on, since you walked out the door." (From a blues song, indicating a lack of justification or support)
Video Games: "Your character's leg is damaged; movement speed is reduced." (In-game notification in an RPG or survival game, e.g., "Fallout")
Podcasts: "Our next guest will explain how they managed to leg it across the entire continent on foot." (A podcast host introducing an adventurous guest, e.g., "The Joe Rogan Experience")
General Public Discourse:
"I accidentally kicked the table leg and stubbed my toe." (A casual complaint)
"Can you please leg it over to the shop and grab some milk?" (An informal request to run quickly)
"He doesn't have a leg to stand on in this argument; his facts are all wrong." (Expressing that someone has no valid point)
"My computer desk has a wobbly leg, it's so annoying." (A common observation about furniture)
"I'm feeling much better today, but my leg is still a bit sore after the long walk." (A statement about physical recovery)
10 Famous Quotes Using Leg
“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world—with one leg in them at a time.” — Marilyn Monroe
“I have a metal plate in my leg, but I still stand tall.” — Stephen Hawking
“If you break your leg, you don’t blame the floor. You fix the leg.” — Louis C.K.
“She had legs like a story: strong, long, and full of unexpected turns.” — Ray Bradbury (paraphrased)
“I’d give my right leg to be ambidextrous.” — Yogi Berra
“You can’t put one leg in yesterday and the other in tomorrow and expect to walk straight today.” — Unknown
“My legs are not for show; they carry the weight of my dreams.” — Serena Williams
“Sometimes you have to stand on one leg just to appreciate your balance.” — Dr. Seuss (adapted)
“A man with a wooden leg named Smith? What’s the name of his other leg?” — Winston Churchill (jokingly)
“I’ve got legs and I know how to use them.” — ZZ Top
Etymology
The word "leg" as we know it today, referring to a limb, comes from Old Norse.
It originated from the Old Norse word leggr, which broadly meant "a leg, calf (of the leg), bone of the arm or leg, or a hollow tube or stalk."
This word replaced an older Old English term, sceanca (which is where our modern word "shank" comes from, referring specifically to the part of the leg from the knee to the ankle).
The first known use of "leg" in English in this sense (meaning the limb for support and walking) appeared around the late 13th century (Middle English period).
It's interesting to note that while "leg" came into English from a Scandinavian source, the related Germanic languages often use a word similar to "bone" (like German "Bein") to mean "leg," hinting at a shared, older connection.
The verb "to leg" (meaning to walk or run) came into use later, around the late 1500s, directly from the noun. The meanings like a "leg of a journey" or "leg of furniture" also developed from the basic limb meaning, by analogy.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Leg
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "leg":
To pull someone's leg: To playfully tease or trick someone.
Not a leg to stand on: Having no valid argument or support for one's position.
Break a leg! (Informal) Good luck! (Especially to performers).
To stretch one's legs: To go for a walk, often after sitting for a long time.
To get a leg up: To gain an advantage or assistance.
To show a leg: (Nautical, informal) To get out of bed.
To talk someone's leg off: To talk to someone for an excessively long time, boring them.
To leg it: (Informal) To run or move quickly.
On one's last legs: Near the end of life, usefulness, or strength; exhausted.
To have legs: (Figurative) For an idea, story, or project to have lasting power, credibility, or potential for success.
To be all legs: To be gangly or very tall and thin, often appearing awkward.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of leg from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
