ENGLISH
REFERENCE

loch

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫɑk// loch

n. a large lake or a long, narrow piece of the sea that is almost surrounded by land. This word is used specifically in Scotland.

n. a lake or a narrow arm of the sea, especially one that is nearly landlocked. Used primarily in the context of Scottish geography.


SIMPLE

We took a boat trip across the loch.

CONTEXTUAL

The castle ruins sit on a small island in the middle of the loch, accessible only by rowboat.

COMPLEX

Mist often clings to the surface of the loch in the early morning, obscuring the distant peaks of the surrounding highlands.

Origin

Two main origins: * Borrowed from German Loch, a topographic surname for someone who lived by a hollow or valley. * From Scottish Gaelic loch (“loch, lake”), a Scottish topographic surname.

Usage

Primarily used in Scotland; elsewhere, 'lake' or 'fjord' is more common depending on the specific geography.

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