verb
lain
layn
Lain (verb) means past participle of "lie" — to have rested in a horizontal position. Example: “The letter had lain unopened on the desk for weeks.”
verb
1
Past participle of "lie" — to have rested in a horizontal position.
"He had lain there for many hours."
"The book had lain on the attic floor until it was found decades later."
"The letter had lain unopened on the desk for weeks."
"He had lain awake all night worrying about the exam."
How to use lain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe past-participle form of "lie" (rest/recline), used with "have/had".
Common mistake
Easy to mix up with "laid" (past participle of "lay", which needs an object) and "lay" (past tense of "lie"). Test: "The dog has lain there all day" (no object) vs "She has laid the dog's bed down" (object: the bed).
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- lains
- Past tense
- lained
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The letter had _____ unopened on the desk for weeks.
Etymology
From Middle English, ultimately from Old English licgan ("to lie down").
Synonyms
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reclined
rested
Related words
Rhymes for lain
See all rhymes for lain →Frequently asked questions
What does “lain” mean?
The word “lain” means past participle of "lie" — to have rested in a horizontal position. In plain terms, the past-participle form of "lie" (rest/recline), used with "have/had".
How do you pronounce “lain”?
“Lain” is pronounced layn (/leɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “lain” in a sentence?
Here is “lain” used in a sentence: “The letter had lain unopened on the desk for weeks.”
What part of speech is “lain”?
“Lain” is a verb.
Where does the word “lain” come from?
The word “lain” comes from Old English. From Middle English, ultimately from Old English licgan ("to lie down").
