lay

1 of 5

verb

ˈlā

laid ˈlād

; laying

transitive verb

: to beat or strike down with force

: to put or set down

lay your books on the table

: to place for rest or sleep

She laid the baby in his crib for a nap.

especially : bury

: to bring forth and deposit (an egg)

: calm, allay

lay the dust

: bet, wager

: to press down giving a smooth and even surface

brushing to lay the nap

: to dispose or spread over or on a surface

lay track

lay plaster

: to set in order or position

lay a table for dinner

lay brick

: to put (strands) in place and twist to form a rope, hawser, or cable

also : to make by putting strands in place and twisting

lay up rope

: to impose as a duty, burden, or punishment

lay a tax

: to put as a burden of reproach

laid the blame on her

: to advance as an accusation : impute

the disaster was laid to faulty inspection

: to place (something immaterial) on something

lay stress on grammar

: prepare, contrive

a well-laid plan

: to bring against or into contact with something : apply

laid the watch to his ear

: to prepare or position for action or operation

lay a fire in the fireplace

also : to adjust (a gun) to the proper direction and elevation

: to bring to a specified condition

lay waste the land

: assert, allege

lay claim to an estate

: to submit for examination and judgment

laid her case before the commission

often vulgar : to copulate with

intransitive verb

: to produce and deposit eggs

nonstandard : lie entry 1

: wager, bet

dialect : plan, prepare

: to apply oneself vigorously

laid to his oars

: to proceed to a specified place or position on a ship

lay aloft

Lay vs. Lie: Usage Guide

Lay has been used intransitively in the sense of "lie"

going to lay down for a quick nap

since the 14th century. The practice was unremarked until around 1770; attempts to correct it have been a fixture of schoolbooks ever since. Generations of teachers and critics have succeeded in taming most literary and learned writing, but intransitive lay persists in familiar speech and is a bit more common in general prose than one might suspect. Much of the problem lies in the confusing similarity of the principal parts of the two words. Another influence may be a folk belief that lie is for people and lay is for things. Some commentators are ready to abandon the distinction, suggesting that lay is on the rise socially. But if it does rise to respectability, it is sure to do so slowly: many people have invested effort in learning to keep lie and lay distinct. Remember that even though many people do use lay for lie, others will judge you unfavorably if you do.

lay

2 of 5

noun (1)

ˈlā

: covert, lair

: something (such as a layer) that lies or is laid (see lay entry 1)

: line of action : plan

: line of work : occupation

: terms of sale or employment : price

: share of profit (as on a whaling voyage) paid in lieu of wages

: the amount of advance of any point in a rope strand for one turn

: the nature of a fiber rope as determined by the amount of twist, the angle of the strands, and the angle of the threads in the strands

: the way in which a thing lies or is laid in relation to something else

the lay of the land

: the state of one that lays eggs

hens coming into lay

vulgar : a partner in sexual intercourse

usually vulgar : sexual intercourse

lay

3 of 5

past tense of lie

lay

4 of 5

noun (2)

ˈlā

: a simple narrative poem : ballad

: melody, song

lay

5 of 5

adjective

ˈlā

: of or relating to the laity : not ecclesiastical

: of or relating to members of a religious house occupied with domestic or manual work

a lay brother

: not of a particular profession

the lay public

also : lacking extensive knowledge of a particular subject

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English leyen, from Old English lecgan; akin to Old English licgan to lie — more at lie

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French lai — see lay entry 5

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French lai, from Late Latin laicus, from Greek laikos of the people, from laos people

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lay

1 of 5 verb

ˈlā

laid ˈlād

; laying

: to beat or strike down

wheat laid flat by the wind and rain

: to put or set on or against a surface or in order

lay the book on the table

lay bricks

: to place for rest or sleep

especially : bury sense 1

: to produce and deposit eggs

nonstandard : lie entry 1

: to cause to settle

a shower laid the dust

also : to make calm : allay

laid his fears

: to spread over a surface

lay plaster

: to make ready : prepare

lay plans

lay a table

: to deposit as a wager : bet

I'll lay you $10 on that

: impose sense 1a

lay a tax

lay blame

: to place or assign in one's scheme of things

lays great stress on manners

: to bring to a specified condition

lay waste to the land

: to put forward : submit

lay claim to an estate

lay

2 of 5 noun

: the way in which a thing lies in relation to something else

lay of the land

lay

3 of 5

past of lie entry 1

lay

4 of 5 noun

: a simple poem that tells a story : ballad

: melody sense 2, song

lay

5 of 5 adjective

: of or relating to laymen or the laity

lays 1 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of lay

as in puts

to arrange something in a certain spot or position just lay the book over there on the table for now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

puts
situates
places
locates
positions
disposes
deposits
sticks
sets
deposes
sets up
establishes
fixes
slaps
plops
emplaces
orients
plants
rearranges
parks
moves
claps
shifts
assembles
plunks
carries
collects
plumps
locks
reorders
settles
plonks
flops
ensconces
planks
affixes
niches
anchors
lays out
ranks
wedges
berths
lodges
sets down
plunks down
queues
lines up
arrays

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

takes
removes
replaces
relocates
banishes
displaces
supersedes
supplants
dislodges

as in settles

to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid) the rain was just hard enough to lay the dust in the air

Synonyms & Similar Words

settles
sediments
filters
clears
clarifies
sifts
screens
sieves
strains
resettles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

raises
stirs
disturbs
mixes
agitates

as in imposes

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet

Synonyms & Similar Words

imposes
puts
charges
levies
assesses
fines
exacts
penalizes
taxes
excises
compels
docks
wrings
inflicts
gouges
forces
milks
squeezes
bleeds
wreaks
extorts
coerces
skins
fleeces
wrests
relays
shakes down
mulcts
sets
reapplies
reimposes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diminishes
remits
ignores
lessens
forgives
abates
disregards
releases
condones
excuses
glosses (over)
pardons
glozes (over)

as in prepares

to make ready in advance she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

prepares
provides
furnishes
readies
arranges
preps
fortifies
fits
grooms
equips
fixes
gathers
instructs
girds
educates
mounts
gears up
arms
supplies
spreads
braces
sets
steels
trains
battens
predisposes
schools
indoctrinates
forearms
primes
inclines
tutors
draws up
outfits
frames
drafts
boots (up)
warms (up)

as in applies

to put a layer of on a surface the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second

Synonyms & Similar Words

applies
spreads
smears
lays on
covers
anoints
coats
layers
sheets
slathers
dabs
plasters
overlies
daubs
bedaubs
overlays
surfaces
besmears
blankets
mantles
carpets
overspreads

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exposes
uncovers
peels
bares
strips

as in bets

to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it

Synonyms & Similar Words

puts
bets
plays
wagers
offers
goes
stakes
gambles
bids
ventures
speculates
hazards
adventures
chances
endangers
imperils
jeopardizes

as in ascribes

to explain (something) as being the result of something else an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring

Synonyms & Similar Words

ascribes
attributes
imputes
blames
credits
refers
chalks up
attaches
accredits
connects
assigns
links
puts down
pins (on)
charges
imputes (to)
fathers (on)
associates

as in buries

to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea lay the corpse to rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

buries
inters
hides
entombs
tombs
conceals
puts away
hearses
enshrines
inhumes
obscures
shields
covers
shades
ensconces
enshrouds
cloaks
inurns
curtains
shrouds
coffins
immures
reburies
reinters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unearths
reveals
exhumes
exposes
shows
discloses
burns
discovers
bares
displays
disinters
exhibits
cremates
uncoffins

lays

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural of lay

as in melodies

a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect the minstrel strummed a cheerful lay on his lute

Synonyms & Similar Words

melodies
tunes
songs
warbles
airs
strains
hymns
meters
ballads
lyrics
rhythms
discants
measures
cadences
descants
ditties
madrigals

as in ballads

a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband

Synonyms & Similar Words

ballads
songs
jingles
hymns
vocals
lyrics
anthems
lullabies
ditties
serenades
pops
croons
choruses
laments
cantatas
carols
psalms
chorales
canticles
blues
standards
folk songs
dirges
roundelays
requiems
paeans
noels
threnodies
chants
arias
medleys
hallelujahs
covers
art songs
glees
spirituals
drinking songs
rockers
descants
shanties
rounds
torch songs
madrigals
discants
barcarolles
chansons
fight songs
chanteys
chanties
barcaroles
motets
remixes
part-songs
arie

lays

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural of lay

as in works

the activity by which one regularly makes a living my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter

Synonyms & Similar Words

works
lines
vocations
professions
occupations
employments
calls
trades
games
callings
jobs
places
tasks
positions
missions
livelihoods
loads
assignments
functions
duties
lifeworks
enterprises
fields
arts
businesses
situations
crafts
offices
engagements
rackets
livings
appointments
billets
posts
berths
handicrafts
metiers
métiers
gigs
handcrafts
workloads

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pursuits
hobbies
avocations

单词	lays
释义	lay 1 of 5 verb ˈlā laid ˈlād ; laying transitive verb 1 : to beat or strike down with force 2 a : to put or set down lay your books on the table b : to place for rest or sleep She laid the baby in his crib for a nap. especially : bury 3 : to bring forth and deposit (an egg) 4 : calm, allay lay the dust 5 : bet, wager 6 : to press down giving a smooth and even surface brushing to lay the nap 7 a : to dispose or spread over or on a surface lay track lay plaster b : to set in order or position lay a table for dinner lay brick c : to put (strands) in place and twist to form a rope, hawser, or cable also : to make by putting strands in place and twisting lay up rope 8 a : to impose as a duty, burden, or punishment lay a tax b : to put as a burden of reproach laid the blame on her c : to advance as an accusation : impute the disaster was laid to faulty inspection 9 : to place (something immaterial) on something lay stress on grammar 10 : prepare, contrive a well-laid plan 11 a : to bring against or into contact with something : apply laid the watch to his ear b : to prepare or position for action or operation lay a fire in the fireplace also : to adjust (a gun) to the proper direction and elevation 12 : to bring to a specified condition lay waste the land 13 a : assert, allege lay claim to an estate b : to submit for examination and judgment laid her case before the commission 14 often vulgar : to copulate with intransitive verb 1 : to produce and deposit eggs 2 nonstandard : lie entry 1 3 : wager, bet 4 dialect : plan, prepare 5 a : to apply oneself vigorously laid to his oars b : to proceed to a specified place or position on a ship lay aloft Lay vs. Lie: Usage Guide Lay has been used intransitively in the sense of "lie" going to lay down for a quick nap since the 14th century. The practice was unremarked until around 1770; attempts to correct it have been a fixture of schoolbooks ever since. Generations of teachers and critics have succeeded in taming most literary and learned writing, but intransitive lay persists in familiar speech and is a bit more common in general prose than one might suspect. Much of the problem lies in the confusing similarity of the principal parts of the two words. Another influence may be a folk belief that lie is for people and lay is for things. Some commentators are ready to abandon the distinction, suggesting that lay is on the rise socially. But if it does rise to respectability, it is sure to do so slowly: many people have invested effort in learning to keep lie and lay distinct. Remember that even though many people do use lay for lie, others will judge you unfavorably if you do. lay 2 of 5 noun (1) ˈlā 1 : covert, lair 2 : something (such as a layer) that lies or is laid (see lay entry 1) 3 a : line of action : plan b : line of work : occupation 4 a : terms of sale or employment : price b : share of profit (as on a whaling voyage) paid in lieu of wages 5 a : the amount of advance of any point in a rope strand for one turn b : the nature of a fiber rope as determined by the amount of twist, the angle of the strands, and the angle of the threads in the strands 6 : the way in which a thing lies or is laid in relation to something else the lay of the land 7 : the state of one that lays eggs hens coming into lay 8 a vulgar : a partner in sexual intercourse b usually vulgar : sexual intercourse lay 3 of 5 past tense of lie lay 4 of 5 noun (2) ˈlā 1 : a simple narrative poem : ballad 2 : melody, song lay 5 of 5 adjective ˈlā 1 : of or relating to the laity : not ecclesiastical 2 : of or relating to members of a religious house occupied with domestic or manual work a lay brother 3 : not of a particular profession the lay public also : lacking extensive knowledge of a particular subject Phrases lay an egg : to fail or blunder especially embarrassingly The professor tried to be funny, but he laid an egg. lay eyes on : see, behold I never laid eyes on her before today. lay into : to attack especially verbally laid into the referee lay on the table 1 : to remove (a parliamentary motion) from consideration indefinitely 2 British : to put (something, such as legislation) on the agenda Synonyms Verb depose deposit dispose emplace fix place position put set set up situate stick Noun (1) calling employment game line occupation profession trade vocation work Noun (2) air melody song strain tune warble See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Verb Lay the fabric carefully on the table. He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. She laid the baby in his crib for a nap. When will they lay the foundation for the addition? lay tracks for the new railroad They laid him in his grave. Adjective a science magazine written for the lay public See More Word History Etymology Verb and Noun (1) Middle English leyen, from Old English lecgan; akin to Old English licgan to lie — more at lie Noun (2) Middle English, from Anglo-French lai — see lay entry 5 Adjective Middle English, from Anglo-French lai, from Late Latin laicus, from Greek laikos of the people, from laos people First Known Use Verb before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1 Noun (1) 1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun (2) 13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing lay get/lay one's hands on lay/put (all/all of) one's cards on the table lay/put stress on lay a/the foundation lay a finger on lay/put a guilt trip on lay away lay/put (something) to rest lay aside lay bare lay charges lay day lay by lay down lay down one's arms lay down the law lay down one's life lay hold of lay it on the line lay in lay off lay oneself open lay on lay out lay over lay plans lay reader lay the groundwork/foundation lay siege to lay to lay up lay (someone) to rest lay the blame/responsibility on lay the blame for (something) at someone's door lay waste to set/lay great store by the lay of the land lay it on lay a hand on lay great stress/emphasis on lay figure lay on the table lay an egg lay into lay eyes on See More get/lay one's hands on lay/put (all/all of) one's cards on the table lay/put stress on lay a/the foundation lay a finger on lay/put a guilt trip on lay away lay/put (something) to rest lay aside lay bare lay charges lay day lay by lay down lay down one's arms lay down the law lay down one's life lay hold of lay it on the line lay in lay off lay oneself open lay on lay out lay over lay plans lay reader lay the groundwork/foundation lay siege to lay to lay up lay (someone) to rest lay the blame/responsibility on lay the blame for (something) at someone's door lay waste to set/lay great store by the lay of the land lay it on lay a hand on lay great stress/emphasis on lay figure lay on the table lay an egg lay into lay eyes on See More Kids Definition lay 1 of 5 verb ˈlā laid ˈlād ; laying 1 : to beat or strike down wheat laid flat by the wind and rain 2 a : to put or set on or against a surface or in order lay the book on the table lay bricks b : to place for rest or sleep especially : bury sense 1 3 : to produce and deposit eggs 4 nonstandard : lie entry 1 5 : to cause to settle a shower laid the dust also : to make calm : allay laid his fears 6 : to spread over a surface lay plaster 7 : to make ready : prepare lay plans lay a table 8 : to deposit as a wager : bet I'll lay you $10 on that 9 : impose sense 1a lay a tax lay blame 10 : to place or assign in one's scheme of things lays great stress on manners 11 : to bring to a specified condition lay waste to the land 12 : to put forward : submit lay claim to an estate lay 2 of 5 noun : the way in which a thing lies in relation to something else lay of the land lay 3 of 5 past of lie entry 1 lay 4 of 5 noun 1 : a simple poem that tells a story : ballad 2 : melody sense 2, song lay 5 of 5 adjective : of or relating to laymen or the laity Legal Definition lay 1 of 2 transitive verb laid; laying 1 : to impose as a duty, burden, or punishment lay a tax 2 a : to put forward : assert lay a claim b : to submit for examination and determination laid a case before the commission lay 2 of 2 past of lie lays 1 of 3 verb present tense third-person singular of lay 1 as in puts to arrange something in a certain spot or position just lay the book over there on the table for now Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance puts situates places locates positions disposes deposits sticks sets deposes sets up establishes fixes slaps plops emplaces orients plants rearranges parks moves claps shifts assembles plunks carries collects plumps locks reorders settles plonks flops ensconces planks affixes niches anchors lays out ranks wedges berths lodges sets down plunks down queues lines up arrays Antonyms & Near Antonyms takes removes replaces relocates banishes displaces supersedes supplants dislodges See More 2 as in settles to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid) the rain was just hard enough to lay the dust in the air Synonyms & Similar Words settles sediments filters clears clarifies sifts screens sieves strains resettles Antonyms & Near Antonyms raises stirs disturbs mixes agitates 3 as in imposes to establish or apply as a charge or penalty state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet Synonyms & Similar Words imposes puts charges levies assesses fines exacts penalizes taxes excises compels docks wrings inflicts gouges forces milks squeezes bleeds wreaks extorts coerces skins fleeces wrests relays shakes down mulcts sets reapplies reimposes Antonyms & Near Antonyms diminishes remits ignores lessens forgives abates disregards releases condones excuses glosses (over) pardons glozes (over) See More 4 as in prepares to make ready in advance she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time Synonyms & Similar Words prepares provides furnishes readies arranges preps fortifies fits grooms equips fixes gathers instructs girds educates mounts gears up arms supplies spreads braces sets steels trains battens predisposes schools indoctrinates forearms primes inclines tutors draws up outfits frames drafts boots (up) warms (up) 5 as in applies to put a layer of on a surface the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second Synonyms & Similar Words applies spreads smears lays on covers anoints coats layers sheets slathers dabs plasters overlies daubs bedaubs overlays surfaces besmears blankets mantles carpets overspreads Antonyms & Near Antonyms exposes uncovers peels bares strips 6 as in bets to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it Synonyms & Similar Words puts bets plays wagers offers goes stakes gambles bids ventures speculates hazards adventures chances endangers imperils jeopardizes 7 as in ascribes to explain (something) as being the result of something else an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring Synonyms & Similar Words ascribes attributes imputes blames credits refers chalks up attaches accredits connects assigns links puts down pins (on) charges imputes (to) fathers (on) associates 8 as in buries to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea lay the corpse to rest Synonyms & Similar Words buries inters hides entombs tombs conceals puts away hearses enshrines inhumes obscures shields covers shades ensconces enshrouds cloaks inurns curtains shrouds coffins immures reburies reinters Antonyms & Near Antonyms unearths reveals exhumes exposes shows discloses burns discovers bares displays disinters exhibits cremates uncoffins See More lays 2 of 3 noun (1) plural of lay 1 as in melodies a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect the minstrel strummed a cheerful lay on his lute Synonyms & Similar Words melodies tunes songs warbles airs strains hymns meters ballads lyrics rhythms discants measures cadences descants ditties madrigals 2 as in ballads a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband Synonyms & Similar Words ballads songs jingles hymns vocals lyrics anthems lullabies ditties serenades pops croons choruses laments cantatas carols psalms chorales canticles blues standards folk songs dirges roundelays requiems paeans noels threnodies chants arias medleys hallelujahs covers art songs glees spirituals drinking songs rockers descants shanties rounds torch songs madrigals discants barcarolles chansons fight songs chanteys chanties barcaroles motets remixes part-songs arie lays 3 of 3 noun (2) plural of lay as in works the activity by which one regularly makes a living my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter Synonyms & Similar Words works lines vocations professions occupations employments calls trades games callings jobs places tasks positions missions livelihoods loads assignments functions duties lifeworks enterprises fields arts businesses situations crafts offices engagements rackets livings appointments billets posts berths handicrafts metiers métiers gigs handcrafts workloads Antonyms & Near Antonyms pursuits hobbies avocations
随便看	rattle through rattle-top rattlebag rattlebags rattlebones rattleboxes rattlebrain rattlebrained rattlebrains rattlebush rattled rattled around rattled off rattled on rattled through rattlehead rattleheaded rattlemouse rattlepate rattlepated rattlepates rattlepod rattler rattleroot rattlers

lay

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

adjective

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing lay

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)