# loch

/ˈɫɑk/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/loch
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a lake

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect

a large area of water surrounded by land, specifically in Scotland.

For teachers: a lake or large body of fresh water, particularly within the Scottish landscape.

- Loch Ness is famous around the world for the legend of its monster.
- The hikers spent the afternoon circumnavigating the loch, admiring the way the mountains reflected in the still, deep water.

Usage: Used almost exclusively in a Scottish context; elsewhere, 'lake' is the standard term.

### 2. a sea inlet

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Dialect · Technical

a long, narrow part of the sea that reaches into the land.

For teachers: a sea loch; a narrow arm of the sea or a fjord-like inlet, common on the west coast of Scotland.

- The fishing boats sailed deep into the loch to find shelter from the storm.
- The rugged coastline is defined by numerous sea lochs that provide natural harbours for the small coastal villages.

Usage: Often referred to specifically as a 'sea loch' to distinguish it from freshwater bodies.

## Examples

- We took a boat trip across the loch.
- The castle ruins sit on a small island in the middle of the loch, accessible only by rowboat.
- Mist often clings to the surface of the loch in the early morning, obscuring the distant peaks of the surrounding highlands.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.