Lake Definition Lake Definition 1

Lake (noun) — a large area of water surrounded by land from all sides, usually bigger and deeper than a pond. It can be natural or made by people and it often collects water from rivers or rain. Lakes are common places for swimming, fishing and enjoying nature.

Part of speech:
Noun (countable)
Phonetic transcription (IPA):
/leɪk/
CEFR level:
A1
Word frequency:

How to Pronounce “Lake”?

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Tips for “lake” pronunciation: 

Say lei + k, it rhymes with “make” and “cake.” The vowel sound is long, like saying the letter a.

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Ways to Use “Lake” in a Sentence

Define “lake” through the common use of this word in sentences, where the speaker is sharing different details about certain things.

We went swimming in the lake during our camping trip last weekend.
I love walking around the lake in the morning when it’s peaceful and quiet.
The cabin by the lake offers beautiful views of the mountains and water.
Many people enjoy fishing in the lake because it has plenty of fish.
Lake Como in Italy is one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe.

Synonyms for the Word “Lake”

Understanding the different ways to refer to a “lake” can help expand your vocabulary and improve your writing or speaking.

Related nouns: pond river ocean sea reservoir

Synonyms (contextual): none, it is a specific noun

Common collocations: freshwater lake small lake artificial lake

“Lake” Word Formation and Description in Context

Learn how to say “lake” combined with different parts of speech such as nouns, verbs and adjectives, to create meaningful collocations and sentences.

With adjectives: deep lake calm lake frozen lake crystal-clear lake

With verbs: swim in a lake cross a lake look at the lake fish in a lake

With nouns (noun + noun): lake water lake house lake shore lake view

Idioms and Phrases with “Lake”

Discover more about the “lake” meaning that is not direct but more idiomatic. This will make your written and spoken English more interesting and natural.

  • Go jump in a lake — an impolite way to tell someone to go away because they are annoying you.

    When he asked me for money again, I told him to go jump in a lake.
  • Mountain lake — a lake located in a mountainous area, often surrounded by nature and inner peace.

    We spent our vacation at a mountain lake, enjoying the fresh air and quiet surroundings.
  • Calm as a lake — used to describe someone or something that is very calm, peaceful, or untroubled, similar to the still surface of a lake.

    Despite the chaos in the office, Jane remained calm as a lake, handling every problem with ease.
Lake Idioma Lake Idioma 1

Test Your Knowledge of “Lake” Meaning: Quiz Time!

Check your language skills and understanding of “lake” with this intellectual game. Stay calm and focus on each task!

Type 1: True/false statements:
Choose the right option:
1
A lake is a body of water surrounded by land.
2
“Go jump in a lake” is a friendly invitation to swim together.
3
Lakes are always larger than oceans.
Type 2: Right word order:
Put these chaotic words in order:
1
beautiful
is
The
very
lake
2
lake
We
the
by
live
3
in
fish
There
many
the
are
lake
Type 3: Choose the correct option
Select the right answer:
1
Tom was angry and told his brother, “Go jump in a lake!” What does Tom mean?
2
They camped near a beautiful mountain lake. What is a mountain lake?
3
The teacher stayed as calm as a lake even when the students were noisy. What does this tell us about the teacher?

Enjoy personalized learning!

“Lake” Word in Other Languages

Discover how to spell “lake” and pronounce it in French, German and Spanish.

Language Word for “Lake”
Flag Spanish Spanish   Lago
Flag French French   Lac
Flag German German   See

Did You Know It? Fun Facts About “Lake”

Lakes are more than just calm stretches of water — they hide fascinating surprises beneath their surfaces. Read these interesting details to broaden your horizons.

  • Some lakes “boil” without fire.

    Geothermal lakes such as New Zealand’s Frying Pan Lake are very hot because of volcanic activity below the ground. The heat causes the formation of steam and bubbling water, thereby creating an illusion of a boiling lake.
  • Some lakes are pink!

    The pink color of Lake Hillier in Australia is due to the presence of certain algae and bacteria which produce pink pigments. Even the removal of water from the lake does not change its pink color. Other pink lakes are also found in different parts of the world such as in Spain and Senegal.
  • The largest lake is actually a sea.

    The Caspian Sea, though named so, is the largest lake in the world surrounded entirely by land. It stretches approximately 371,000 square kilometers and lies between five different countries.
  • Some lakes can disappear and return.

    In some regions, “seasonal” or “intermittent” lakes fill up during rainy periods and shrink or vanish in dry seasons, showing how strongly lakes can depend on climate and underground water systems.

Quotes Featuring the Word “Lake”

You already know some of the phrases with “lake,” so it’s time to look at how this word found its place among the famous quotations so you can refer to them if the situation fits.

“I’m an old-fashioned guy… I want to be an old man with a beer belly sitting on a porch, looking at a lake or something.”

Johnny Depp

Explanation: Johnny Depp is portraying a very straightforward, tranquil picture of getting old. He is dreaming of a life with no stress, full of quiet moments and nature. His main aim is to be happy, not rich or famous. The “lake” stands for the peacefulness and purity of spirit.

“Many drops make a bucket, many buckets make a pond, many ponds make a lake, and many lakes make an ocean.”

— Percy Ross

Explanation: He is showing the strength of gathering. When small actions or gifts are joined together, they can reach the size of a mountain. It puts stress on patience, determination, and the greatness of the small, continuous actions.

“Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do, they all contain truths.”

— Muhammad Ali

Explanation: The boxer is pointing out the common value found in the diversity of mankind. The analogy made here is that just like different water bodies have the same essence, different religions may have different practices but share the same underlying truth and respect.