Litre
UK /["/ˈliːtə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈliːtər/"]/
Definition
a unit for measuring volume, equal to 1.76 British pints or 2.11 American pints
In simple words: A measure of liquid that is equal to 1,000 milliliters.
Examples
- 3 litres of water
- a litre bottle of wine
- a car with a 3.5 litre engine
Usage notes
Used mainly in the metric system. Common across many countries; less common in the US, which uses gallons. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts when discussing volume.
Grammar pattern
countable noun
Memory hint
Sounds like 'lit-er' — imagine a measuring cup full of liquid that holds a litre.
Collocations
- one litre
- litres of water
- litre bottle
Synonyms
- liter
- volume
- capacity
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'litre' with 'liter' (American spelling).
- Using 'litres' for singular contexts instead of 'litre'.
- Mistaking litre for a general measurement without specifying a liquid.