lay Definition

lay¹
verb laid, laying

1. To place something on a surface, especially in a lying or horizontal position.

Example: laid the letter on the table
Thesaurus: put, place, set, deposit.
2. To put or bring something to a stated position or condition.

Example: laid her hand on his arm
3. To design, arrange or prepare.

Example: lay plans
Thesaurus: order, arrange, organize, systematize.
4. To put plates and cutlery, etc on (a table) ready for a meal.
5. To prepare (a fire) by putting coal, etc in the grate.
tr & intr
6. Said of a female bird: to produce (eggs).

Thesaurus: deposit, yield, generate, have, bear.
7. To present.

Example: laid his case before the court
8. To set something down as a basis.

Example: laid the ground rules
9. To deal with or remove.

Example: lay a fear
10. colloq
To place (a bet).
Example: I'll lay 20 quid you can't eat the whole plateful
11. slang
To have sexual intercourse with someone, especially a woman.

noun

1. The way or position in which something is lying.

Example: the lay of the surrounding countryside
2a. slang
A partner in sexual intercourse;
2b. slang
An act of sexual intercourse.

Idiom: get laid

colloq
To succeed in having sexual intercourse.

Idiom: lay about one

To strike blows in all directions.

Idiom: lay something bare

To reveal or explain (a plan or intention that has been kept secret).

Idiom: lay down the law

To dictate in a forceful and domineering way.

Idiom: lay down one's arms

To surrender or call a truce.

Idiom: lay it on thick

colloq
To exaggerate, especially in connection with flattery, praise, etc.

Idiom: lay low

To overthrow, fell or kill.

Idiom: lay one's hands on someone or something

colloq
To succeed in getting hold of them or it.

Idiom: lay oneself open to something

To expose oneself to criticism or attack.

Idiom: lay something on someone

To assign or attribute it to them.
Example: laid the blame on his friends

colloq
To give it to them, especially unexpectedly or without payment.

Idiom: lay someone low

Said of an illness: to affect them severely.

Idiom: lay something open

To uncover or reveal it.

To cut it open.

Idiom: lay someone to rest

To bury (a dead body).

Idiom: lay waste

To destroy or devastate completely.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon lecgan.

Phrasal Verb: lay something aside

To put it to one side, especially for later use or treatment.To discard or abandon it.

Phrasal Verb: lay something by

To put it away for future use.

Phrasal Verb: lay something down

To put it on the ground or some other surface.To give it as a deposit, pledge, etc.To give up or sacrifice.
Example: lay down one's life
To formulate or devise.
Example: lay down a plan
To store (wine) in a cellar.To begin to build (a ship or railway).To put (music) onto tape, CD, etc.
Example: laid down ten tracks in only three days

Phrasal Verb: lay something in

To get and store a supply of it.

Phrasal Verb: lay into someone

To attack or scold them severely.

Phrasal Verb: lay into something

To eat it quickly and with enthusiasm.

Phrasal Verb: lay someone off

To dismiss (an employee) when there is no work available. See also lay-off.

Phrasal Verb: lay off something

To stop it.

Phrasal Verb: lay off someone

To leave them alone.

Phrasal Verb: lay something on

To provide a supply of it.

Phrasal Verb: lay someone out

To knock them unconscious.To prepare (a dead body) for burial.

Phrasal Verb: lay something out

To plan and arrange (especially land or natural features).To spread it out or display it.To spend it. See also layout.

Phrasal Verb: lay someone up

To force them to stay in bed or at home.

Phrasal Verb: lay something up

To keep or store it.
Example: laid up some of her delicious jam
To put (a ship) out of use, especially for repairs.

Info:

○ These two verbs are commonly confused ― even by native speakers ― because their meanings are close and their forms overlap, since lay is also the past of lie:

○ Another cause of confusion is the closeness in form of laid and lain, and the fact that laid is the past and past participle of lay; but lain is only the past participle of lie:

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lay² past tense of lie²

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lay³
adj

1. Relating to or involving people who are not members of the clergy.
2. Not having specialized or professional knowledge of a particular subject.

Thesaurus: amateur, non-professional, civilian.

Etymology: 14c: from Greek laos the people.

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lay⁴
noun

lays
1. A short narrative or lyric poem, especially one that is meant to be sung.

Etymology: 13c.

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lie²
verb, intr lay (past tense), lain (past participle), lying (present participle)

1. To be in or take on a flat or more or less horizontal position on a supporting surface.

Thesaurus: recline, loll, lounge, repose, rest, sprawl, stretch out.
2. To be situated.

Example: The village lies to the west of here
3. To stretch or be spread out to view.

Example: The harbour lay before us
4. Said of subjects for discussion: to remain undiscussed.

Example: let matters lie
5a. To be or remain in a particular state;

Example: lie dormant
5b. To be buried.

Example: Jim's remains lie in a cemetery in Paris

noun

1a. The way or direction in which something is lying;
1b. golf.
The relative position of a ball that has been struck.
Example: Despite finding the rough, he had a good lie
2. An animal's or bird's hiding-place.

Idiom: lie in wait (lie in wait for someone)

To hide before ambushing them.

Idiom: lie low

To stay quiet or hidden.

Idiom: take something lying down

Note: often with negatives
To accept a rebuke or disappointment, etc meekly and without protest.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon licgan.

Phrasal Verb: lie back

To lean back on a support.To rest, especially after a period of hard work.

Phrasal Verb: lie down

To take a flat or horizontal position, especially to sleep or have a short rest.

Phrasal Verb: lie in

To stay in bed later than usual in the morningTo be in bed giving birth to a child.

Phrasal Verb: lie in something

To consist of it or have it as an essential part.
Example: Success lies in hard work

Phrasal Verb: lie to

Said of a ship: to be almost at a complete standstill.

Phrasal Verb: lie up

Said of a ship: to go into or be in dock.

Phrasal Verb: lie with someone

Said of a duty or responsibility: to rest with them.To have sexual intercourse with them.

Info:

See Usage Note at lay.