lay
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for lay, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To put something down, especially in a flat or resting position.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use lay
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English leċġan, "to lay" — the causative form of "lie" (to make something lie down), from Proto-Germanic *lagjaną.
Full origin of lay →Frequently asked questions
What does “lay” mean?
The word “lay” means to put something down, especially in a flat or resting position. In plain terms, to put something down, or (for a hen) to produce an egg; as an adjective, non-expert or non-clergy.
How do you pronounce “lay”?
“Lay” is pronounced lay (/leɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lay” in a sentence?
Here is “lay” used in a sentence: “He explained the diagnosis in lay terms so she could understand it.”
What is another word for “lay”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lay” include laic, laical, laicist and laicistic.
What is the opposite of “lay”?
The opposite of “lay” — its antonyms — are clerical and secular.
What part of speech is “lay”?
Depending on how it is used, “lay” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “lay” come from?
The word “lay” comes from Old English. From Old English leċġan, "to lay" — the causative form of "lie" (to make something lie down), from Proto-Germanic *lagjaną.
Is “lay” a common word?
“Lay” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between lay and lie?
Lay means to put something down and needs an object, so you lay a book on the table. Lie means to rest or recline and takes no object, so you lie down yourself. The confusion grows because 'lay' is also the past tense of 'lie': yesterday you lay down. In the present, lay acts on something; lie does not.
Is it 'lay down' or 'lie down'?
If you mean resting your own body, say 'lie down', as in 'I need to lie down'. 'Lay down' needs an object, as in 'lay down your weapons'. The catch is the past tense: 'Last night I lay down' is correct, because 'lay' is the past of 'lie'. In the present, choose lie for yourself.
What is the past tense of lay?
The past tense of lay, meaning to put down, is 'laid', as in 'she laid the plates on the table'. The past participle is also 'laid'. Be careful: 'lay' by itself is the past tense of a different verb, 'lie'. So 'laid' belongs to lay, while 'lay' can belong to lie.
What is an example of lay?
'Please lay the baby in the cot' shows the core meaning, putting something down gently in a resting position. Other examples include laying bricks, laying a table before a meal, or a hen laying an egg. In each, something is placed down or set out flat rather than lying down itself.