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Dark L words

English has two L sounds: a clear L before vowels (light, love) and a dark L after them, made with the back of the tongue raised toward the soft palate. Dark L sounds almost like a W in some accents, so milk can approach miwk. Feel the back of your tongue lift on every word in this list.


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The words

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Water, better, city: Americans tap the T like a quick D. Compare US and UK on every word.
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Keep practising

Browse every practice list or the word index, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.

To read the rules behind these words, see the pronunciation guides — including silent letters, word stress and American vs British. Or hear each accent on its own page: American, British, Australian.