noun

lye

leye

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Lye (noun) means a strongly alkaline substance, traditionally made by soaking wood ash in water, used for cleaning or making soap. Example: “Pioneers made their own soap by boiling fat with lye.”

noun

A strongly alkaline substance, traditionally made by soaking wood ash in water, used for cleaning or making soap.

"Pioneers made their own soap by boiling fat with lye."

"Lye is powerful enough to unclog drains, but it will burn skin on contact."

How to use lye

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA caustic alkaline chemical (like sodium hydroxide) used in cleaning products and soap-making.

Common mistake

Handle with care in real life — lye is corrosive and can cause chemical burns; this is a purely factual note, not medical advice.

Common pairings

caustic lye lye soap a solution of lye

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: lyes
Third person singular: lyes
Past tense: lyed

Test yourself on “lye” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Pioneers made their own soap by boiling fat with _____.

Etymology

From Old English leah/leag, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to wash".

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for lye

ye fye dye eye aye bye nye tye Rye Faye Kaye Skye

See all rhymes for lye →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lye” mean?

The word “lye” means a strongly alkaline substance, traditionally made by soaking wood ash in water, used for cleaning or making soap. In plain terms, a caustic alkaline chemical (like sodium hydroxide) used in cleaning products and soap-making.

How do you pronounce “lye”?

“Lye” is pronounced leye (/laɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “lye” in a sentence?

Here is “lye” used in a sentence: “Pioneers made their own soap by boiling fat with lye.”

What part of speech is “lye”?

“Lye” is a noun.

Where does the word “lye” come from?

The word “lye” comes from Old English. From Old English leah/leag, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to wash".