verb
Very common
lies
lyz
Lies (verb) means Third-person singular present tense of "lie" — says something untrue on purpose. Example: “Whenever he is nervous, he lies to avoid getting into trouble.”
verb
1
Third-person singular present tense of "lie" — says something untrue on purpose.
"Whenever he is nervous, he lies to avoid getting into trouble."
"He lies about his age whenever it suits him."
"She never lies, even when the truth is uncomfortable."
noun
1
Plural of "lie" — statements made to deceive.
"I'm tired of hearing the lies she tells about her work."
"Children sometimes tell small lies to avoid being told off."
"His story was full of lies from start to finish."
adj
1
Slang: excellent or impressive (informal, casual speech).
"Honestly, the food at that new place is lies."
"Your outfit tonight is lies, where did you get it?"
"That new track is lies, you have to hear it."
How to use lies
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often the verb/noun forms tied to "lie" (an untruth); rarely used as slang for "great."
Common mistake
Don't confuse this with "lays," which relates to placing something down or the verb "to lay."
Easily confused with
lays
Common pairings
tell lies
white lies
caught in lies
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Whenever he is nervous, he _____ to avoid getting into trouble.
Synonyms
View more →
fibs
deceives
misleads
misrepresents
falsifies
Rhymes for lies
See all rhymes for lies →Frequently asked questions
What does “lies” mean?
The word “lies” means third-person singular present tense of "lie" — says something untrue on purpose. In plain terms, most often the verb/noun forms tied to "lie" (an untruth); rarely used as slang for "great.".
How do you pronounce “lies”?
“Lies” is pronounced lyz (/laɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “lies” in a sentence?
Here is “lies” used in a sentence: “He lies about his age whenever it suits him.”
What part of speech is “lies”?
Depending on how it is used, “lies” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
Is “lies” a common word?
“Lies” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lies” have?
“Lies” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: third-person singular present tense of "lie" — says something untrue on purpose.
What is the difference between 'lies' and 'lays'?
'Lies' comes from the verb 'lie', which takes no object — a person lies down, or lies by telling an untruth. 'Lays' comes from 'lay', which needs an object — you lay something down. If you can replace it with 'places', use 'lays'; if nothing is being placed, use 'lies'.
Does 'lies' always mean telling untruths?
No. 'Lies' has two unrelated senses. One means saying something false on purpose — 'he lies to avoid trouble'. The other means to recline or be positioned — 'she lies on the sofa', or 'the village lies to the north'. Context makes clear which meaning is intended.
What is the opposite of 'lies' when it means telling untruths?
The opposite is telling the truth — being honest or truthful. Where someone who lies deliberately says something false, someone who tells the truth reports things as they really are. Related expressions include 'is honest', 'comes clean', and 'levels with you'.
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