noun Uncommon

lair

LEH-uh

Lair (noun) means the den or hidden resting place of a wild animal. Example: “The hikers gave the bear's lair a wide berth.”

noun

The den or hidden resting place of a wild animal.

"The hikers gave the bear's lair a wide berth."

"Wolves had made their lair beneath the fallen tree."

A hidden base or retreat, especially one used by a villain in fiction.

"The spy finally tracked the criminal to his secret lair."

How to use lair

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA hidden shelter, especially for an animal or a fictional villain.

Common pairings

a bear's lair villain's lair secret lair

Word forms

laired past tense, laired past tense, lairs plural, lairs plural, lairs plural, Lairs plural, lairs singular, lairs singular

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The hikers gave the bear's _____ a wide berth.

Etymology

From Old English leger, meaning "bed" or "couch", related to the verb "lie" (to recline).

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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den

Related words

cave den nest Dennis Denis hideaway hideout

Rhymes for lair

air hair pair fair Nair chair stair flair Adair Clair affair repair

See all rhymes for lair →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lair” mean?

The word “lair” means the den or hidden resting place of a wild animal. In plain terms, a hidden shelter, especially for an animal or a fictional villain.

How do you pronounce “lair”?

“Lair” is pronounced LEH-uh (/ˈlɛɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “lair” in a sentence?

Here is “lair” used in a sentence: “The hikers gave the bear's lair a wide berth.”

What part of speech is “lair”?

“Lair” is a noun.

Where does the word “lair” come from?

The word “lair” comes from Old English. From Old English leger, meaning "bed" or "couch", related to the verb "lie" (to recline).

Is “lair” a common word?

“Lair” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “lair” have?

“Lair” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the den or hidden resting place of a wild animal.

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