lay
lay
Lay (verb) means to put something down, especially in a flat or resting position. Example: “She laid the baby gently in the crib.”
verb
1
To put something down, especially in a flat or resting position.
"She laid the baby gently in the crib."
"He laid his keys on the table by the door."
"Please lay the towels flat on the bed before the guests arrive."
2
To produce and deposit an egg.
"The hen laid three eggs this morning."
"Some birds lay their eggs on bare ledges instead of building nests."
"Our ducks have been laying every day since the weather warmed up."
3
To set out or establish a plan, rule, or foundation.
"The committee laid out a new strategy for the year ahead."
"Our teacher will lay the groundwork for the project before we start writing."
"Before we start, let me lay down the rules of the game."
adj
1
Not belonging to the clergy; not a professional or expert in a given field.
"He explained the diagnosis in lay terms so she could understand it."
"The magazine is written for lay readers who have no medical training."
"She sits on the church council as a lay member, not a priest."
How to use lay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo put something down, or (for a hen) to produce an egg; as an adjective, non-expert or non-clergy.
Common mistake
"Lay" needs an object (you lay something down), while "lie" does not (you lie down). Many people confuse these, especially since the past tense of "lie" is also "lay."
Common pairings
lay the table
lay an egg
lay out a plan
lay person
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Word forms
- Plural
- lays
- Third person singular
- lays
- Past tense
- laid
- Comparative
- more lay
- Superlative
- most lay
- Archaic forms
- layest, laidst, laidest, layeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ the towels flat on the bed before the guests arrive.
Etymology
From Old English leċġan, "to lay" — the causative form of "lie" (to make something lie down), from Proto-Germanic *lagjaną.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lay
See all rhymes for 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.
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