verb

flay

Flay (verb) means to strip the skin from a body. Example: “The ancient myth describes the god being flayed alive.”

verb

To strip the skin from a body.

"The ancient myth describes the god being flayed alive."

To criticize someone harshly and mercilessly.

"The critics flayed the film for its weak script."

How to use flay

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally, to strip off skin; figuratively, to criticize someone brutally.

Common pairings

flay alive flay someone in a review

flayed past tense, flayed past tense, flaid past tense, flew past tense, flain past tense, flays plural, Flays plural, flays singular, flays singular

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The ancient myth describes the god being _____ alive.

From Old English flean, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to strip."

Origin: Old English

ay may day say ray hay lay pay jay way yay nay

What does “flay” mean?

The word “flay” means to strip the skin from a body. In plain terms, literally, to strip off skin; figuratively, to criticize someone brutally.

How do you pronounce “flay”?

“Flay” is pronounced flay (/fleɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “flay” in a sentence?

Here is “flay” used in a sentence: “The ancient myth describes the god being flayed alive.”

What part of speech is “flay”?

“Flay” is a verb.

Where does the word “flay” come from?

The word “flay” comes from Old English. From Old English flean, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to strip.".

How many meanings does “flay” have?

“Flay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to strip the skin from a body.