Definitions for Lay

• Definition
• Anagrams (12)

Lay lay

Spelling: [ley]

IPA: /leɪ/

Lay is a 3 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 6 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 6 points.

You can make 12 anagrams from letters in Lay (aly).

Definitions for Lay

noun

1. the way or position in which a thing is laid or lies:
2. Slang: Vulgar. a partner in sexual intercourse. an instance of sexual intercourse.
3. Ropemaking. the quality of a fiber rope characterized by the degree of twist, the angles formed by the strands, and the fibers in the strands.
4. Also called lay-up, spread. (in the garment industry) multiple layers of fabric upon which a pattern or guide is placed for production-line cutting.
5. Textiles. batten3 (defs 1, 2).
6. a share of the profits or the catch of a whaling or fishing voyage, distributed to officers and crew.
7. a short narrative or other poem, especially one to be sung.
8. a song.
9. (on a loom) a movable frame that contains the shuttles, the race plate, and the reed, and that by its oscillating motion beats the filling yarn into place.
10. any movable part of a loom.
11. a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood. Synonyms: prevarication, falsification. Antonyms: truth.
12. something intended or serving to convey a false impression; imposture:
13. an inaccurate or false statement; a falsehood.
14. the charge or accusation of telling a lie:
15. the manner, relative position, or direction in which something lies: Synonyms: place, location, site.
16. the haunt or covert of an animal.
17. Golf. the position of the ball relative to how easy or how difficult it is to play.

verb

1. simple past tense of lie2 .

Idioms

1. get laid, Slang: Vulgar. to have sexual intercourse.
2. lay aboard, Nautical. (formerly, of a fighting ship) to come alongside (another fighting ship) in order to board.
3. lay about one, to strike or aim blows in every direction. to proceed to do; set about.
4. lay a course, Nautical. to sail in the desired direction without tacking. to proceed according to a plan.
5. lay close, Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) to sail close to the wind.
6. lay it on, to exaggerate in one's speech or actions, especially to engage in exaggerated flattery or reproof: Also, lay it on thick.
7. lay low. low1 (defs 50, 51).
8. lay oneself out, Informal. to try one's best; make a great effort:
9. lay siege to. siege (def 9).
10. give the lie to, to accuse of lying; contradict. to prove or imply the falsity of; belie:
11. lie in one's throat / teeth, to lie grossly or maliciously: Also, lie through one's teeth.
12. lie down on the job, Informal. to do less than one could or should do; shirk one's obligations.
13. lie in state. state (def 24).
14. lie low. low1 (def 51).
15. lie to, Nautical. (of a ship) to lie comparatively stationary, usually with the head as near the wind as possible.
16. take lying down, to hear or yield without protest, contradiction, or resistance:

adjective

1. belonging to, pertaining to, or performed by the people or laity, as distinguished from the clergy:
2. not belonging to, connected with, or proceeding from a profession, especially the law or medicine.

Verb phrases

1. lay aside, to abandon; reject. to save for use at a later time; store:
2. lay away, to reserve for later use; save. to hold merchandise pending final payment or request for delivery: to bury:
3. lay back, Slang. to relax.
4. lay by, to put away for future use; store; save: Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) to come to a standstill; heave to; lay to. Midland and Southern U.S. to tend (a crop) for the last time, leaving it to mature without further cultivation.
5. lay down, to give up; yield: to assert firmly; state authoritatively: to stock; store: Shipbuilding. to draw at full size (the lines of a hull), as on the floor of a mold loft; lay off; loft.
6. lay for, Informal. to wait for in order to attack or surprise; lie in wait for:
7. lay in, to store away for future use:
8. lay into, Informal. to attack physically or verbally; assail:
9. lay off, to dismiss (an employee), especially temporarily because of slack business. Informal. to cease or quit: Slang. to stop annoying or teasing: Informal. to stop work: to put aside or take off. to mark off; measure; plot. Slang. to give or hand over; pass on: (of a bookmaker) to transfer all or part of (a wager) to other bookmakers in order to be protected against heavy losses. to get rid of or transfer (blame, responsibility, etc.): Nautical. to sail away from. Nautical. to remain stationary at a distance from. Shipbuilding. lay1 (def 47d).
10. lay on, to cover with; apply: to strike blows; attack violently: Nautical. to sail toward. Nautical. to row (an oar) with a full stroke. Slang. to tell, impart, or give to: Chiefly British Informal. to provide as a gift, bonus, or treat; give; treat:
11. lay open, to cut open: to expose; reveal: to expose or make vulnerable, as to blame, suspicion, or criticism:
12. lay out, to extend at length. to spread out in order; arrange; prepare. to plan; plot; design. to ready (a corpse) for burial. Informal. to spend or contribute (money). Slang. to knock (someone) down or unconscious. Slang. to scold vehemently; reprimand: to make a layout of. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to absent oneself from school or work without permission or justification; play hooky.
13. lay over, to be postponed until action may be taken: to make a stop, as during a trip:
14. lay to, Nautical. to check the motion of (a ship). Nautical. to put (a ship) in a dock or other place of safety. to attack vigorously. to put forth effort; apply oneself.
15. lay up, to put away for future use; store up. to cause to be confined to bed or kept indoors; disable. Nautical. to retire (a ship) from active use. Nautical. (of a ship) to be retired from active use. to construct (a masonry structure): to apply (alternate layers of a material and a binder) to form a bonded material.
16. lie by, to pause for rest; stop activities, work, etc., temporarily. to lie unused:
17. lie down, to assume a horizontal or prostrate position, as for the purpose of resting.
18. lie in, to be confined to bed in childbirth. Chiefly British. to stay in bed longer than usual, especially in the morning.
19. lie over, to be postponed for attention or action at some future time:
20. lie up, to lie at rest; stay in bed. (of a ship) to dock or remain in dock.
21. lie with, to be the duty or function of: Archaic. to have sexual intercourse with.

verb (used with object)

1. to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest; set down:
2. to knock or beat down, as from an erect position; strike or throw to the ground:
3. to put or place in a particular position:
4. to cause to be in a particular state or condition:
5. to set, place, or apply (often followed by to or on):
6. to dispose or place in proper position or in an orderly fashion:
7. to place on, along, or under a surface:
8. to establish as a basis; set up:
9. to present or submit for notice or consideration:
10. to present, bring forward, or make, as a claim or charge.
11. to impute, attribute, or ascribe:
12. to bury:
13. to bring forth and deposit (an egg or eggs).
14. to impose as a burden, duty, penalty, or the like:
15. to place dinner service on (a table); set.
16. to place on or over a surface, as paint; cover or spread with something else.
17. to devise or arrange, as a plan.
18. to deposit as a wager; bet:
19. to set (a trap).
20. to place, set, or locate:
21. to smooth down or make even:
22. to cause to subside:
23. Slang: Vulgar. to have sexual intercourse with.
24. to bring (a stick, lash, etc.) down, as on a person, in inflicting punishment.
25. to form by twisting strands together, as a rope.
26. Nautical. to move or turn (a sailing vessel) into a certain position or direction.
27. to aim a cannon in a specified direction at a specified elevation.
28. to put (dogs) on a scent.
29. to bring about or affect by lying (often used reflexively):

verb (used without object)

1. to lay eggs.
2. to wager or bet.
3. to apply oneself vigorously.
4. to deal or aim blows vigorously (usually followed by on, at, about, etc.).
5. Nonstandard. lie2 .
6. South Midland U.S. to plan or scheme (often followed by out).
7. Midland and Southern U.S. (of the wind) to diminish; subside:
8. Nautical. to take up a specified position, direction, etc.:
9. to speak falsely or utter untruth knowingly, as with intent to deceive. Synonyms: prevaricate, fib.
10. to express what is false; convey a false impression.
11. to be in a horizontal, recumbent, or prostrate position, as on a bed or the ground; recline. Antonyms: stand.
12. (of objects) to rest in a horizontal or flat position: Antonyms: stand.
13. to be or remain in a position or state of inactivity, subjection, restraint, concealment, etc.:
14. to rest, press, or weigh (usually followed by on or upon):
15. to depend (usually followed by on or upon).
16. to be placed or situated:
17. to be stretched out or extended:
18. to be in or have a specified direction; extend:
19. to be found or located in a particular area or place:
20. to consist or be grounded (usually followed by in):
21. to be buried in a particular spot:
22. Law. to be sustainable or admissible, as an action or appeal.
23. Archaic. to lodge; stay the night; sojourn.

Origin of Lay

before 900; Middle English layen, leggen, Old English lecgan (causative of licgan to lie²); cognate with Dutch leggen, German legen, Old Norse legja, Gothic

Examples for Lay

You know what you hold, and if 'tain't a hand to lay down, it must be a hand to raise on.

They talked until late into the night of what he should "lay out" to do.

Dehydrated and feeling weary, Marino lay down beside another migrant under a tree and fell asleep.

And since she was so tired, she wanted to lay down and sleep.

lay the butterflied pork loin on the cutting board with the fat cap facing down.

Robert pointed in silence to the huge rock which lay on the track.

In their opinion, this would allow conservatives to lay a marker down on immigration while avoiding a shutdown for the time being.

“lay platters for me and these two young gentlemen,” said the Augustinian.

One police officer was coolly dispatched as he lay wounded on the sidewalk.

But of course it will be only fair to sis to lay the matter before her just as it is.