lie

The word “lie” means to be in or move into a horizontal, resting position. In plain terms, either "to rest in a horizontal position" or "to say something false" — two unrelated meanings that share the same spelling.

“Lie” is pronounced leye (/laɪ̯/ in IPA).

Here is “lie” used in a sentence: “The cat likes to lie in the sun by the window.”

Words with a similar meaning to “lie” include alternative fact, anti-fact, invention, bluff, canard and cap.

The opposite of “lie” — its antonyms — are fact, truth and verity.

Depending on how it is used, “lie” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “lie” comes from Old English. From Old English licgan ("to lie down") and, separately, leogan ("to tell an untruth") — two originally distinct Old English verbs that happen to look alike in modern English.

“Lie” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

In the resting sense, 'lie' takes no object, so you lie down yourself: 'I lie on the sofa.' 'Lay' needs an object, so you lay something down: 'I lay the book on the table.' The trick is that if something is being placed, use 'lay'; if a person or thing rests, use 'lie'.

For the resting sense, the past tense is 'lay' and the past participle is 'lain': 'yesterday I lay down', 'I have lain here for hours'. Confusingly, 'lay' is also its own separate verb meaning to place something, which is exactly why these two are so often mixed up.

'Lie down' is what you do to yourself, as in 'I need to lie down.' 'Lay down' needs an object, so you lay down a tool or lay down the rules. Because the past tense of 'lie' happens to be 'lay', 'I lay down for a nap' is correct only when describing yesterday.