les

Les is a term with several distinct uses in language, onomastics, and geography. It appears as a French definite article, as a given-name nickname, and as part of place names or neighborhood abbreviations. In English-language contexts it is often a shortened form of longer names such as Leslie, Lesley, or Lester, and it can also serve as an informal label for a location.

In French, les is the plural definite article used before all plural nouns, regardless of gender. It corresponds to the English “the.” It is written in lowercase in ordinary text and is not capitalized except at the beginning of a sentence or when starting a title. The form derives from Latin illī/illōrum through Old French, reflecting a historical development of the French definite article.

As a given name, Les is typically a masculine nickname for longer names such as Leslie, Lesley, or Lester. It has been used especially in English-speaking countries and was particularly common in the mid- to late 20th century. While most often male in origin, it can appear as part of longer female names in some cases, depending on regional naming traditions.

In geography and popular usage, Les also appears as part of place-related terminology. In urban contexts, the abbreviation LES is widely recognized for the Lower East Side, a neighborhood in Manhattan known for its cultural history and evolving demographics. The sequence may also appear in various toponyms in Francophone regions or as components of longer place names.

See also: disambiguation of Les, including linguistic usage of the French article and common given-name derivations.