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1. Dictionary

   lay

   /leɪ/

   verb

   • 1. put (something) down gently or carefully: "she laid the baby in his cot" Similar putplacesetput downset downdepositrestsituatesitsettlestowbalancestationdropleavelet fallthrow downfling downdeploylocatepositioninformal:plantstickdumpbungparkplonkpopshoveOpposite pick up
   • ▪ prevent (something) from rising off the ground: "there may have been the odd light shower just to lay the dust"
   • 2. put down and set in position for use: "it is advisable to have your carpet laid by a professional"
   • ▪ set cutlery, crockery, etc. on (a table) in preparation for a meal: British "she laid the table for dinner"
   • ▪ cover (a surface) with objects or a substance: "the floor was laid with mattresses"
   • ▪ put the material for (a fire) in place and arrange it: "he was making newspaper knots before laying a fire in the fireplace"
   • ▪ prepare (a trap) for someone: "she wouldn't put it past him to lay a trap for her"
   • ▪ work out (an idea or suggestion) in detail ready for use or presentation: "I'd like more time to lay my plans" Similar devisearrangecontrivemakepreparework outhatchconcoctdesignplanschemeplotorganizeframethink updream upcook upbrewconceivemake readyget readyput togetherdraw upproducedevelopcomposeformulate
   • ▪ locate (an episode in a play, novel, etc.) in a particular place: "no one who knew the area could be in doubt where the scene was laid"
   • ▪ stake (an amount of money) in a bet: "she suspected he was pulling her leg, but she wouldn't have laid money on it" Similar betwagergamblestakehazardriskchanceventuregive oddsspeculategameinformal:punthave a flutter
   • 3. used with an abstract noun so that the phrase formed has the same meaning as the verb related to the noun used, e.g. ‘lay the blame on’ means ‘to blame’: "she laid great stress on little courtesies" Similar assignattributeascribeallocateallotimputeattachimposefixhold someone responsiblehold someone accountablehold someone answerablecondemnfind guilty ofpin the blame onOpposite exoneratehold blameless
   • 4. (of a female bird, insect, reptile, or amphibian) produce (an egg) from inside the body: "flamingos lay only one egg" Similar producetechnical:oviposit
   • 5. have sex with. vulgar slang
   • 6. follow (a specified course): "I'm going to lay a course for Ibiza harbour"
   • 7. trim (a hedge) back, cutting the branches half through, bending them down, and interweaving them: "most hedges are no longer laid"

   noun

   • 1. the general appearance of an area of land: "the lay of the surrounding countryside"
   • ▪ the position or direction in which something lies: "roll the carpet against the lay of the nap"
   • ▪ the direction or amount of twist in rope strands.
   • 2. an act or instance of having sex. vulgar slang
   • ▪ a person with a particular ability or availability as a sexual partner.
   • 3. the laying of eggs or the period during which they are laid: "the onset of lay may be marked by a dropping of the duck's abdomen"

   Word Origin Old Englishlecgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch leggen and German legen, also to lie1.

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • L

     1

   • A

     1

   • Y

     4

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › layLay Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › lay

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   The meaning of LAY is to beat or strike down with force. How to use lay in a sentence. Lay vs. Lie: Usage Guide

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishLAY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   LAY definition: 1. to put something in especially a flat or horizontal position, usually carefully or for a…. Learn more.

4. Videos

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5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishLAY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   45 meanings: 1. to put in a low or horizontal position; cause to lie 2. to place, put, or be in a particular state or position.... Click for more definitions.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › layLay - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › lay

   To lay is to set something down or put it in a horizontal position. It can also mean to position or prepare something for action — or simply to lay eggs.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › layLay - definition of lay by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › lay

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and usage of the verb lay, which can mean to put, place, produce, or bet. Avoid confusing lay with lie, which means to recline or be situated.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionlay verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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   Learn how to use the verb lay in different contexts and tenses, with pictures and pronunciation guides. Find out the difference between lay and lie, and explore related idioms and phrasal verbs.

9. People also ask

   What does lay mean in English?

   • The verb lay means ‘to put something down carefully in a flat position’. It must have an object. It is a regular verb, but note the spelling of the past simple and -ed form: laid not layed: … From a lay viewpoint the questionnaire is virtually incomprehensible. good lay She's a good lay (= sex with her is enjoyable).

   LAY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   What is the past tense of lay?

   • Word forms: lays , laying , laid In standard English, the form lay is also the past tense of the verb lie 1 in some meanings. In informal English, people sometimes use the word lay instead of lie 1 in those meanings. If you lay something somewhere, you put it there in a careful, gentle, or neat way. Lay a sheet of newspaper on the floor.

   LAY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   What is the difference between lay and lie?

   • The verbs lay and lie are total jerks. People often say lay when they mean lie, but it's wrong to lay around. You have to lay something, anything — lay an egg if you want. But you can lie around until the cows come home! To lay is to set something down or put it in a horizontal position.

   Lay - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

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   What is a lay person?

   • You use lay to describe people who are involved with a Christian church but are not members of the clergy or are not monks or nuns. Edwards is a Methodist lay preacher and social worker. You use lay to describe people who are not experts or professionals in a particular subject or activity.

   LAY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   What are some examples of lay?

   • In all but the most careful, formal speech, forms of lay are commonly heard in senses normally associated with lie. In edited written English such uses of lay are rare and are usually considered nonstandard: Lay down, children.

   LAY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   What does Lai mean?

   • 1. Of, relating to, or involving the laity: a lay preacher. 2. Not of or belonging to a particular profession; nonprofessional: a lay opinion as to the seriousness of the disease. [Middle English, from Old French lai, from Late Latin lāicus, from Greek lāikos, of the people, from lāos, the people.] n. 1.

   Lay - definition of lay by The Free Dictionary

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10. www.oed.com › dictionary › lay_adjlay, adj. & n.⁹ meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

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    The earliest known use of the word lay is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). lay is a borrowing from French. Etymons: French lai. See etymology.