lain
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.”
How to use lain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe past-participle form of "lie" (rest/recline), used with "have/had".
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).
Word forms
lained past tense, Lains plural, lains singular
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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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").