Lay

/leɪ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

the act of laying something down.

The lay of the land was perfect for farming.

verb

to put down or place something in a particular position.

Please lay the book on the table.

to cause (a person) to be in a specified position, typically lying down.

She gently laid the baby in the crib.

to put something down firmly.

He laid the groundwork for the new project.

adjective

referring to something that is not raised.

The lay surface of the field is ideal for playing soccer.

Old English 'lecgan', meaning to put or place.

lay down the law

to state rules emphatically.

lay it on thick

to exaggerate or overstate something.

lay low

to avoid attracting attention.

layer

a sheet, quantity, or thickness of material, typically one of several, covering a surface or body.

layoff

a temporary or permanent discharge of a worker or workers.

to sleep with someone.

He laid her last night.

to succeed in something or to achieve a goal.

He's really laying it down at work.