legs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "legs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the lower parts of a person or animal's body that are used for movement, or to refer to an object with two or more supports. For example, "She rested her legs on the footstool while she read her book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Lifestyle

Arts

Books

Film

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ambulance staff have warned the protesters that their legs have got very cold which makes the blood supply pool in their feet, this could lead them to faint and fall off the ledge.

The Guardian

Even perfectly ordinary trousers and tops can sometimes look odd because short people aren't just inflicted with short legs; we're short all over.

The Guardian - Travel

Inside the truck, the guards shouted, "Sit down!" Cross your legs!" I didn't understand the last part but they crossed my legs anyway.

The Guardian

Randolph also saved smartly with his legs to deny Wilson after Bournemouth's top-scorer had been played through by Kermorgant.

The Guardian - Sport

Have a browse through the artworks and locally made produce on sale to stretch your legs.

The Guardian - Travel

"Things have changed a bit since my time," she adds, raising her eyebrows at two women, one black, one white, who wear nothing but discreet jewels between their legs and red feather head-dresses which trail down their backs.

The Guardian - Travel

"How short is the short-short?" Alexander, who came to fame as a runway coach and judge on the television show America's Next Top Model and coached the likes of supermodel Naomi Campbell, is known for showing off his own incredible set of legs.

The Guardian - Opinion

As she lies wrapped in white cotton in an iron cot sterilized with bleach, her swollen legs appear dislocated from her rattling body.

The Guardian

Symptoms like oedema, the swelling of legs or face to make children look fat, or thin hair that is easily shed, may be overtly recognizable.

The Guardian

She takes Cilla Black, ungainly with her long legs coltishly splayed and drinking from a paper cup, all wrapped up in her limbs, and it's not in the slightest degree humiliating, but lovable.

The Guardian - Arts

He and my father had pitched their tent in the stolen corner of a farmer's lot, and so it was from inside the fence that my brother saw, not 10 feet away from him, the newborn calf slither on to the grass, unfurl its legs, and stand.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement or physical activity, use "legs" to refer to the limbs used for locomotion, such as walking, running, or jumping.

Common error

Avoid using "legs" when you mean "stages" in a process or journey. While "legs" can refer to sections of a race, "stages" is more appropriate for abstract processes.

Linguistic Context

The noun "legs" primarily functions as a plural noun denoting the limbs used for standing, walking, and running. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in diverse contexts, including physical descriptions, sports, and anatomical references. The AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Arts

10%

Books

8%

Film

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun "legs" is a very common term used to describe the limbs of a person or animal, or structural supports, and occasionally stages of a journey. Its usage is generally neutral in register and finds frequent application in News & Media, Sport and Lifestyle contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically sound. While "legs" is versatile, it's important to differentiate its meaning from similar terms like "stages" in abstract contexts. With all these aspects considered, "legs" stands as a reliable and descriptive word in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower limbs

Refers specifically to the anatomical term for the lower extremities.

gams

An informal, often playful, term for legs.

supports

Focuses on the function of legs as supporting structures.

limbs

A more general term including arms and legs.

extremities

A formal term for limbs, both upper and lower.

uprights

Describes legs as vertical supports.

props

Focuses on the supporting function.

foundation

Emphasizes legs as the base or structure.

footing

Highlights the part of the leg that contacts the ground.

base

Highlights the legs as a foundational element.

FAQs

How is "legs" used in a sentence?

"Legs" is used to describe the limbs of a person or animal, or the supports of an object. For example, "She has long legs" or "The table has four legs".

What are some informal ways to refer to "legs"?

Informal terms for "legs" include "gams", "pins", or "stumps" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "legs" and "limbs"?

"Limbs" is a broader term that includes both arms and legs. "Legs" refers specifically to the lower limbs used for locomotion.

When can "legs" refer to something other than body parts?

"Legs" can also refer to stages or sections of a journey or race, such as the "final leg" of a race.