li

IPA/lˈaɪ/
KK[lˈi]IPA/lˈiː/

li — noun

1. a plastic or rubber bed filled with air, used for sleeping outdoors or floating

1.nounB1
Definition

a plastic or rubber bed filled with air, used for sleeping outdoors or floating on water. Originally a brand name, it is now used as a general term.

Example

Samir inflated the Li and placed it on the grass for the afternoon picnic.

inflated the Li (verb + object)

Hana's Li slowly drifted across the swimming pool as she lay on it.

Common collocations
  • inflate a Li
  • blow up a Li
  • pump up a Li
  • lie on a Li
  • deflate a Li
  • pack a Li
Synonyms
  • air mattress

    the most common neutral term worldwide

  • lilo

    another brand name used as a generic term in British English

  • air bed

    common synonym, especially for mattresses used indoors on the floor

  • float

    a smaller inflatable device used on water rather than for sleeping

Usage Note

Originally a brand name, it is now used as a general term for inflatable mattresses, especially in British English. More common in UK and Commonwealth countries than in American English.

Common Mistakes

Samir slept on a Li mattress.
Samir slept on a Li.
Li already means an inflatable mattress; adding 'mattress' is redundant.

li — symbol

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Li, air mattress, lilo, air bed, and float all refer to inflatable bedding or flotation devices. 'Li' is originally a brand name that has become a generic term in some regions, particularly in the UK and Commonwealth countries. 'Air mattress' is the most common and neutral term worldwide. 'Lilo' (from 'lie low') is another brand-derived term used in British English. 'Air bed' is a common synonym, especially for mattresses used indoors on the floor. 'Float' typically refers to a smaller inflatable device used in water rather than for sleeping. For example: 'Samir bought an air mattress for the camping trip.' 'The children played with inflatable floats at the pool.' 'Hana slept on a lilo during her holiday by the sea.'

air mattresslilo ↗air bed ↗float ↗

Etymology

EnglishModern LatinGreek

The noun meaning 'air mattress' comes from a British brand name that became a generic term. The chemical symbol Li is derived from 'lithium', which comes from Greek 'lithos' (stone), named because it was discovered in a mineral rather than in plant or animal matter.