Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense lies, present participle lying, past tense lay, past participle lain
1. verb
If you are lying somewhere, you are in a horizontal position and are not standing or sitting.
There was a child lying on the ground. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The injured man was lying motionless on his back. [VERB adjective]
He lay awake watching her for a long time. [VERB adjective]
Synonyms: recline, rest, lounge, couch More Synonyms of lie
2. verb
If an object lies in a particular place, it is in a flat position in that place.
...a newspaper lying on a nearby couch. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Broken glass lay scattered on the carpet. [VERB adjective]
...a two-page memo lying unread on his desk. [VERB adjective]
Synonyms: be placed, be, rest, exist More Synonyms of lie
3. verb
If you say that a place lies in a particular position or direction, you mean that it is situated there.
The islands lie at the southern end of the Kurile chain. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: be situated, sit, be located, be positioned More Synonyms of lie
4. link verb
You can use lie to say that something is or remains in a particular state or condition. For example,if something lies forgotten, it has been and remains forgotten.
She turned back to the Bible lying open in her lap. [VERB adjective]
The picture lay hidden in the archives for over 40 years. [VERB adjective]
His country's economy lies in ruins. [VERB preposition]
5. verb
You can use lie to say what position a competitor or team is in during a competition.
[mainly British]
I was going well and was lying fourth. [V ord]
She is lying in second place. [VERB + in]
6. verb
You can talk about where something such as a problem, solution, or fault lies to say what you think it consists of, involves, or is caused by.
The problem lay in the large amounts spent on defence. [VERB preposition/adverb]
He realised his future lay elsewhere. [VERB preposition/adverb]
We must be clear about where the responsibility lies. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: exist, be present, consist, dwell [formal, literary] More Synonyms of lie
7. verb
You use lie in expressions such as lie ahead, lie in store, and lie in wait when you are talking about what someone is going to experience in the future, especially when it is something unpleasant or difficult.
She'd need all her strength and bravery to cope with what lay in store. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The President's most serious challenges lie ahead. [VERB preposition/adverb]
8. verb
Lie is used in formal English, especially on gravestones, to say that a dead person is buried in a particular place.
The inscription reads: Here lies Catin, the son of Magarus. [VERB preposition/adverb]
My father lies in the small cemetery a few miles up this road. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: be buried, remain, rest, be More Synonyms of lie
9. verb
If you say that light, clouds, or fog lie somewhere, you mean that they exist there or are spread over the area mentioned.
[literary]
It had been wet overnight, and a morning mist lay on the field. [VERB preposition/adverb]
10. singular noun [with supplement, oft NOUNof noun]
The lie of an object or area is its position or the way that it is arranged.
The actual site of a city is determined by the natural lie of the land.
11. to let sleeping dogs lie
12. to lie in state
13. to take something lying down
Phrasal verbs:
See lie around
See lie back
See lie behind
See lie down
More Synonyms of lie
lie things that are not true
(laɪ)
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense lies, present participle lying, past tense, past participle lied
1. countable noun
A lie is something that someone says or writes which they know is untrue.
'Who else do you work for?'—'No one.'—'That's a lie.'
I've had enough of your lies.
All the boys told lies about their adventures.
Synonyms: falsehood, deceit, fabrication, fib More Synonyms of lie
2. See also white lie
3. verb
If someone is lying, they are saying something which they know is not true.
I know he's lying. [VERB]
If asked, he lies about his age. [VERB + about]
We are surprisingly poor at judging when people are lying to us. [VERB + to]
He reportedly called her 'a lying little twit'. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: fib, fabricate, invent, misrepresent More Synonyms of lie
lyinguncountable noun
Lying is something that I will not tolerate.
Synonyms: deceitful, false, deceiving, treacherous More Synonyms of lie
Synonyms: dishonesty, perjury, deceit, fabrication More Synonyms of lie
4. verb
If you say that something lies, you mean that it does not express or represent something accurately.
The camera can sometimes lie. [VERB]
5. See also lying
6.
See give the lie to
7.
See to live a lie
8.
See I tell a lie
lie in British English1
(laɪ)
verbWord forms: lies, lying or lied(intransitive)
1.
to speak untruthfully with intent to mislead or deceive
2.
to convey a false impression or practise deception
the camera does not lie
noun
3.
an untrue or deceptive statement deliberately used to mislead
4.
something that is deliberately intended to deceive
5. give the lie to
▶ Related adjective: mendacious
Word origin
Old English lyge (n), lēogan (vb); related to Old High German liogan, Gothic liugan
lie in British English2
(laɪ)
verbWord forms: lies, lying, lay (leɪ) or lain (leɪn)(intransitive)
1. (often foll by down)
to place oneself or be in a prostrate position, horizontal to the ground
2.
to be situated, esp on a horizontal surface
the pencil is lying on the desk
India lies to the south of Russia
3.
to be buried
here lies Jane Brown
4. (copula)
to be and remain (in a particular state or condition)
to lie dormant
5.
to stretch or extend
the city lies before us
6. (usually foll byon or upon)
to rest or weigh
my sins lie heavily on my mind
7. (usually foll by in)
to exist or consist inherently
strength lies in unity
8. (foll by with)
a.
to be or rest (with)
the ultimate decision lies with you
b. archaic
to have sexual intercourse (with)
9.
(of an action, claim, appeal, etc) to subsist; be maintainable or admissible
10. archaic
to stay temporarily
11. lie in state
12. lie low
noun
13.
the manner, place, or style in which something is situated
14.
the hiding place or lair of an animal
15. golf
a.
the position of the ball after a shot
a bad lie
b.
the angle made by the shaft of the club before the upswing
16. lie of the land
▶ USAGE See note at lay1
Word origin
Old English licgan akin to Old High German ligen to lie, Latin lectus bed
Lie in British English
(liː)
noun
Trygve Halvdan (ˈtryɡvə ˈhalðan). 1896–1968, Norwegian statesman; first secretary-general of the United Nations (1946–52)
Lie in American English
(li)
1.
Jonas1880-1940; U.S. painter, born in Norway
2.
Jonas (Lauritz Edemil)1833-1908; Norw. novelist: uncle of the painter
3.
ˈTrygve (Halvdan) (ˈtrɪgvə) 1896-1968; Norw. statesman: 1st secretary-general of the United Nations (1946-53)
lie in American English1
(laɪ)
verb intransitiveWord forms: lay, lain, ˈlying
1.
to be or put oneself in a reclining position along a relatively horizontal surface
often with down
2.
to be in a more or less horizontal position on some supporting surface
said of inanimate things
3.
to be or remain in a specified condition
motives that lie hidden
4.
to be situated
Canada lies to the north
5.
to extend; stretch
the road that lies before us
6.
to be; exist; be found
the love that lies in her eyes
7.
to be buried or entombed
8. Archaic
to stay overnight or for a short while; lodge
9. Archaic
to have sexual intercourse (with)
10. Law
to be maintainable or admissible
an action that will not lie
verb transitive
11. Golf
to have, on the hole being played, a score of
after her approach shot, she lies three on the ninth hole
noun
12.
the way in which something is situated or arranged; lay
13.
an animal's lair or resting place
14. British
a period of resting
15. Golf
the relative situation of a ball with reference to the advantage it offers the player
a good lie
Idioms:
lie down on the job
lie in
lie off
lie over
lie to
take lying down
Word origin
ME lien < 2d & 3d pers. sing. of earlier liggen < OE licgan, to lie, akin to Ger liegen < IE base *legh-, to lie, lay oneself down > L lectus & Gr lēchos, bed, lōchos, lair
lie in American English2
(laɪ)
verb intransitiveWord forms: lied or ˈlying
1.
a.
to make a statement that one knows is false, esp. with intent to deceive
b.
to make such statements habitually
2.
to give a false impression; deceive one
statistics can lie
verb transitive
3.
to bring, put, accomplish, etc. by lying
to lie oneself into office
noun
4.
a false statement or action, esp. one made with intent to deceive
5.
anything that gives or is meant to give a false impression
6.
the charge of lying
Idioms:
give the lie to
lie in one's throat
SYNONYMY NOTE: lie2 is the simple direct word meaning to make a deliberately false statement; , prevaricate strictly means to quibble or confuse the issue in order to evade the truth, but itis loosely used as a formal or affected substitute for , lie2; , equivocate implies the deliberate use of ambiguity in order to deceive or mislead; , fabricate suggests the invention of a false story, excuse, etc. intended to deceive and is,hence, sometimes used as a somewhat softer equivalent for , lie2; , fib implies the telling of a falsehood about something unimportant and is sometimes aeuphemism for , lie2
Word origin
ME lien < OE leogan, akin to Ger lügen (Goth liugan) < IE base *leugh-, to tell lies > Lith lūgoti, to ask
More idioms containing
lie
a white lie
nail a lie
live a lie
let sleeping dogs lie
someone has made their bed and will have to lie on it
lie through your teeth
Examples of 'lie' in a sentence
lie
But under the surface of the city streets lies a sadder story.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She warns us that she might lie about her personal life.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Or to check the lie of the land?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You do not need to read between the lines to know what lies ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They just give lies on top of other lies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The best way to make this lie on your floor.
The Sun (2016)
We ran outside and there was a man lying near the back of the car who looked like he was dead.
The Sun (2016)
The blame lies with that country 's government.
The Sun (2016)
A strip of upturned earth lies beside the site.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The city lay behind them under a tattered amber smog.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
We had a fight and old stuff came up about me lying.
The Sun (2008)
We like to be familiar with the lay of the land.
Christianity Today (2000)
Tune in to what lies ahead and focus on getting there.
The Sun (2016)
You just want to lie down all the time.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She lay on the floor hurt and stunned.
The Sun (2007)
The future of this country lies in social mobility and diversity.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The big areas for reform lie elsewhere.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The responsibility for accessing the internet and the choice of site lay with the individual.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But at the heart of it lies the arrogance of power unchecked.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Who is to say where reason lies in such a case?
Boyne, Roy Foucault and Derrida - The Other Side Of Reason (1990)
She lies to us when she stays at his place and lies about money too.
The Sun (2013)
She thinks something sinister could lie beneath the ice.
The Sun (2010)
The reason for its popularity lies in the way it drives.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They placed me in a lying position on the back seat.
John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)
It looks as if the card is simply lying on the open hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The answer to their dilemma is sometimes to tell a lie.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The lie of the land on the coast can be deceptive.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The patient lies strangely angled with his feet in the air, his head near the ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
A city of rock lay all around us.
Baxter, Stephen Anti-Ice (1993)
I can now - mostly - tell what angle they are lying at.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Quotations
There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear itWilliam JamesVarieties of Religious Experience
Whoever would lie usefully should lie seldomLord HerveyMemoirs of the Reign of George II
The lie in the soul is a true lieBenjamin JowettIntroduction to his translation of Plato's Republic
I can't tell a lie, Pa; you know I can't tell a lieGeorge Washington
The broad mass of a nation.... will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small oneAdolf HitlerMein Kampf
Every word she writes is a lie, including `and' and `the'Mary McCarthy (on Lillian Hellman)
It contains a misleading impression, not a lie. It was being economical with the truthSir Robert Armstrong (during the `Spycatcher' trial)
A lie will easily get you out of a scrape, and yet, strangely and beautifully, rapture possesses you when you have taken the scrape and left out the lieC.E. MontagueDisenchantment
In other languages
lie
British English: lie /laɪ/ NOUN
A lie is something you say that is not true.
You told me a lie!
American English: lie
Arabic: كِذْبَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: mentira
Chinese: 谎话
Croatian: laž
Czech: lež
Danish: løgn
Dutch: leugen
European Spanish: mentira
Finnish: valhe
French: mensonge
German: Lüge
Greek: ψέμα
Italian: bugia
Japanese: 嘘
Korean: 거짓말
Norwegian: løgn
Polish: kłamstwo
European Portuguese: mentira
Romanian: minciună
Russian: ложь
Latin American Spanish: mentira
Swedish: lögn
Thai: การโกหก
Turkish: yalan
Ukrainian: брехня
Vietnamese: lời nói dối
British English: lie /laɪ/ VERB
When you lie somewhere, your body is flat, and you are not standing or sitting.
Lie on the bed and close your eyes for a while.
American English: lie
Arabic: يَسْتَلقِي
Brazilian Portuguese: deitar
Chinese: 躺
Croatian: ležati
Czech: ležet
Danish: ligge wrong def used
Dutch: liggen
European Spanish: tumbarse
Finnish: valehdella
French: mentir
German: lügen
Greek: ψεύδομαι
Italian: mentire
Japanese: 嘘をつく
Korean: 눕다
Norwegian: lyve
Polish: okłamać
European Portuguese: mentir
Romanian: a minți
Russian: лгать
Latin American Spanish: mentir
Swedish: ljuga
Thai: โกหก
Turkish: yalan söylemek
Ukrainian: лежати
Vietnamese: nằm dài
Chinese translation of 'lie'
lie 1
(laɪ)
Word forms:ptlay
Word forms:pplain
vi
(= be horizontal)[person]躺 (tǎng)
(= be situated)[place]位于(於) (wèiyú)
[object]平放 (píngfàng)
(fig)[problem, cause etc]在于(於) (zàiyú)
(Brit, = be placed) (in race, league etc) 处(處)于(於) (chǔyú)
something that is deliberately intended to deceive
I've had enough of your lies.
Synonyms
falsehood
He accused them of knowingly spreading falsehoods about him.
deceit
fabrication
She described the interview with her as a `complete fabrication'.
fib
She told innocent fibs.
fiction
Total recycling is a fiction.
invention
The story was undoubtedly pure invention.
deception
You've been the victim of a rather cruel deception.
untruth
The Authority accused estate agents of using blatant untruths.
porky (British, slang)
pork pie (British, slang)
white lie
falsification
prevarication
After months of prevarication, a decision has been made.
falsity
deducing a falsity from two truisms
mendacity
an astonishing display of cowardice and mendacity
(verb)
Definition
to convey a false impression
If asked, he lies about his age.
Synonyms
fib
He laughed when I accused him of fibbing.
fabricate
All four claim that the evidence against them is fabricated.
invent
I stood there, trying to invent a plausible excuse.
misrepresent
falsify
tell a lie
prevaricate
British ministers continued to prevaricate on the issue.
perjure
not tell the truth
equivocate
dissimulate
tell untruths
not speak the truth
say something untrue
forswear yourself
idiom
See give the lie to something
related words
related adjectivemendacious
related maniamythomania
Quotations
There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it [William James – Varieties of Religious Experience]Whoever would lie usefully should lie seldom [Lord Hervey – Memoirs of the Reign of George II]The lie in the soul is a true lie [Benjamin Jowett – Introduction to his translation of Plato's Republic]I can't tell a lie, Pa; you know I can't tell a lie [George Washington]The broad mass of a nation.... will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one [Adolf Hitler – Mein Kampf]Every word she writes is a lie, including `and' and `the' [Mary McCarthy (on Lillian Hellman)]It contains a misleading impression, not a lie. It was being economical with the truth [Sir Robert Armstrong (during the `Spycatcher' trial)]A lie will easily get you out of a scrape, and yet, strangely and beautifully, rapture possesses you when you have taken the scrape and left out the lie [C.E. Montague – Disenchantment]
1 (verb)
Definition
to place oneself or be in a horizontal position
He was lying motionless on his back.
Synonyms
recline
She proceeded to recline on a chaise longue.
rest
He rested his arms on the back of the chair.
lounge
They ate and drank and lounged in the shade.
couch
sprawl
She sprawled on the bed, not even moving to cover herself up.
stretch out
The jacuzzi was too small to stretch out in.
be prone
loll
He lolled back in his comfortable chair.
repose
They repose on couches.
be prostrate
be supine
be recumbent
2 (verb)
Definition
to be situated
a newspaper lying on a nearby couch
Synonyms
be placed
be
The church is on the other side of the town.
rest
Matt's elbow rested on the table.
exist
Many people believe that the Loch Ness Monster does exist.
extend
be situated
3 (verb)
Definition
to be situated
The islands lie at the southern end of the mountain range.
Synonyms
be situated
sit
Our new house sat next to a stream.
be located
be positioned
4 (verb)
Definition
to exist or comprise
The problem lay in the large amounts spent on defence.
Synonyms
exist
the social climate which existed 20 years ago
be present
consist
dwell (formal, literary)
He dwells in the mountains.
reside
Happiness does not reside in money.
pertain
inhere
5 (verb)
Here lies Catin, son of Magarus.
Synonyms
be buried
remain
rest
Of one thing we may rest assured.
be
She'd learnt to be herself and stand up for her convictions.
be found
belong
be located
be interred
be entombed
6 (verb)
The mystery of the situation still lies heavy on my mind.
Synonyms
weigh
press
rest
Such a view rests on incorrect assumptions.
burden
We decided not to burden him with the news.
oppress
The atmosphere in the room oppressed her.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of be
The church is on the other side of the town.
Synonyms
be situated,
be set,
be placed,
be located,
be installed,
be positioned
in the sense of be
She'd learnt to be herself and stand up for her convictions.
Synonyms
remain
in the sense of burden
Definition
to weigh down
We decided not to burden him with the news.
Synonyms
weigh down,
worry,
load,
tax,
strain,
bother,
overwhelm,
handicap,
oppress,
inconvenience,
overload,
saddle with,
encumber,
trammel,
incommode
Synonyms of 'lie'
lie
Explore 'lie' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of deception
Definition
something that deceives
You've been the victim of a rather cruel deception.
Synonyms
trick,
lie,
fraud,
cheat,
bluff,
sham,
snare,
hoax,
decoy,
ruse,
artifice,
subterfuge,
canard,
feint,
stratagem,
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
wile,
hokum (slang, US, Canadian),
leg-pull (British, informal),
imposture,
snow job (slang, US, Canadian),
fastie (Australian, slang)
in the sense of dwell
Definition
to live as a permanent resident
He dwells in the mountains.
Synonyms
live,
stay,
reside (formal),
rest,
quarter,
settle,
lodge,
abide,
hang out (informal),
sojourn,
establish yourself
in the sense of fabricate
Definition
to invent a story or lie
All four claim that the evidence against them is fabricated.
Synonyms
make up,
invent,
concoct,
falsify,
form,
coin,
devise,
forge,
fake,
feign,
trump up
in the sense of fabrication
She described the interview with her as a `complete fabrication'.
Synonyms
forgery,
lie,
fiction,
myth,
fake,
invention,
fable,
concoction,
falsehood,
figment,
untruth,
porky (British, slang),
fairy story (informal),
pork pie (British, slang),
cock-and-bull story (informal),
claptrap (informal)
in the sense of falsity
Definition
a lie
deducing a falsity from two truisms
Synonyms
lie,
fraud,
cheating,
deception,
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang)
in the sense of fiction
Definition
an invented story or explanation
Total recycling is a fiction.
Synonyms
lie,
fancy,
fantasy,
invention,
improvisation,
fabrication,
concoction,
falsehood,
untruth,
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
urban myth,
tall story,
urban legend,
cock and bull story (informal),
figment of the imagination
in the sense of forswear yourself
Synonyms
lie,
renege,
perjure yourself,
swear falsely
in the sense of invent
Definition
to make up (a story, excuse, etc.)
I stood there, trying to invent a plausible excuse.
Synonyms
make up,
devise,
concoct,
forge,
fake,
fabricate,
feign,
falsify,
cook up (informal),
trump up
in the sense of invention
Definition
a lie
The story was undoubtedly pure invention.
Synonyms
fiction,
story (informal),
fantasy,
lie,
yarn (informal),
fabrication,
concoction,
falsehood,
fib (informal),
untruth,
urban myth,
prevarication,
tall story (informal),
urban legend,
figment or product of (someone's) imagination
in the sense of loll
Definition
to lounge in a lazy manner
He lolled back in his comfortable chair.
Synonyms
lounge,
relax,
lean,
slump,
flop,
sprawl,
loaf,
slouch,
recline,
outspan (South Africa)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of lounge
Definition
to pass time lazily or idly
They ate and drank and lounged in the shade.
Synonyms
relax,
pass time,
hang out (informal),
idle,
loaf,
potter,
sprawl,
lie about,
waste time,
recline,
take it easy,
saunter,
loiter,
loll,
dawdle,
laze,
kill time,
make yourself at home,
veg out (slang),
outspan (South Africa),
fritter time away
in the sense of mendacity
Definition
the tendency to be untruthful
an astonishing display of cowardice and mendacity
Synonyms
lying,
lie,
perjury,
deceit,
dishonesty,
distortion,
misrepresentation,
duplicity,
falsehood,
untruth,
falsification,
insincerity,
perfidy (literary),
fraudulence,
deceitfulness,
untruthfulness,
mendaciousness,
inveracity
in the sense of oppress
Definition
to make anxious or uncomfortable
The atmosphere in the room oppressed her.
Synonyms
depress,
burden,
discourage,
torment,
daunt,
harass,
afflict,
sadden,
vex,
weigh down,
dishearten,
cast someone down,
dispirit,
take the heart out of,
deject,
lie or weigh heavy upon,
make someone despondent
in the sense of prevaricate
Definition
to avoid giving a direct or truthful answer
British ministers continued to prevaricate on the issue.
Synonyms
evade,
lie,
shift,
hedge,
shuffle,
dodge,
deceive,
flannel (British, informal),
quibble,
beg the question,
beat about the bush,
cavil,
equivocate,
stretch the truth,
palter,
give a false colour to,
tergiversate
in the sense of prevarication
After months of prevarication, a decision has been made.
Synonyms
evasion,
lies,
deception,
pretence,
deceit,
quibbling,
misrepresentation,
falsehood,
untruth,
falsification,
equivocation,
cavilling,
tergiversation
in the sense of repose
Definition
to lie or lay down at rest
They repose on couches.
Synonyms
lie,
rest,
sleep,
relax,
lie down,
recline,
take it easy,
slumber,
rest upon,
lie upon,
drowse,
outspan (South Africa),
take your ease
in the sense of reside
Definition
to be present (in)
Happiness does not reside in money.
Synonyms
be present,
lie,
exist,
consist,
dwell,
abide,
rest with,
be intrinsic to,
inhere,
be vested
in the sense of rest
Definition
to place for support or steadying
He rested his arms on the back of the chair.
Synonyms
place,
lay,
repose,
stretch out,
stand,
sit,
lean,
prop
in the sense of rest
Matt's elbow rested on the table.
Synonyms
be placed,
sit,
lie,
be supported,
be positioned,
recline,
be propped up by
in the sense of rest
Definition
to continue to be (as specified)
Of one thing we may rest assured.
Synonyms
continue being,
keep being,
remain,
stay,
be left,
go on being
Additional synonyms
in the sense of rest
Definition
to depend or rely
Such a view rests on incorrect assumptions.
Synonyms
depend,
turn,
lie,
be founded,
hang,
be based,
rely,
hinge,
reside
in the sense of sit
Definition
to be located
Our new house sat next to a stream.
Synonyms
be situated,
stand,
lie,
be placed,
be positioned
in the sense of sprawl
Definition
to sit or lie with one's arms and legs spread out
She sprawled on the bed, not even moving to cover herself up.
Synonyms
loll,
slump,
lounge,
flop,
lie down,
slouch,
recline,
drape yourself
in the sense of stretch out
The jacuzzi was too small to stretch out in.
Synonyms
lie down,
lounge,
lean back,
recline,
loll
in the sense of untruth
Definition
a statement that is not true
The Authority accused estate agents of using blatant untruths.