lay

B1
Pronunciation
/leɪ/
Noun
14 definition(s)
1 Definition

Arrangement or relationship; layout.

Example Sentences
  • the lay of the land
2 Definition

A share of the profits in a business.

3 Definition

A lyrical, narrative poem written in octosyllabic couplets that often deals with tales of adventure and romance.

4 Definition

The direction a rope is twisted.

Example Sentences
  • Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way.
5 Definition

A casual sexual partner.

Example Sentences
  • What was I, just another lay you can toss aside as you go on to your next conquest?
6 Definition

An act of sexual intercourse.

7 Definition

A plan; a scheme.

8 Definition

(uncountable) the laying of eggs.

Example Sentences
  • The hens are off the lay at present.
9 Definition

A layer.

10 Definition

A lake.

11 Definition

A ballad or sung poem; a short poem or narrative, usually intended to be sung.

Example Sentences
  • 1805 The Lay of the Last Minstrel, Sir Walter Scott.
12 Definition

A meadow; a lea.

13 Definition

A law.

14 Definition

An obligation; a vow.

Verb
28 definition(s)
1 Definition

To place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position.

Example Sentences
  • A shower of rain lays the dust.
2 Definition

To cause to subside or abate.

Synonyms
becalm settle down
3 Definition

To prepare (a plan, project etc.); to set out, establish (a law, principle).

4 Definition

To install certain building materials, laying one thing on top of another.

Example Sentences
  • lay brick;  lay flooring
5 Definition

To produce and deposit an egg.

Example Sentences
  • Did dinosaurs lay their eggs in a nest?
6 Definition

To bet (that something is or is not the case).

Example Sentences
  • I'll lay that he doesn't turn up on Monday.
7 Definition

To deposit (a stake) as a wager; to stake; to risk.

8 Definition

To have sex with.

Synonyms
lie by lie with sleep with
9 Definition

To take a position; to come or go.

Example Sentences
  • to lay forward;  to lay aloft
10 Definition

To state; to allege.

Example Sentences
  • to lay the venue
11 Definition

To point; to aim.

Example Sentences
  • to lay a gun
12 Definition

(ropemaking) To put the strands of (a rope, a cable, etc.) in their proper places and twist or unite them.

Example Sentences
  • to lay a cable or rope
13 Definition

To place and arrange (pages) for a form upon the imposing stone.

14 Definition

To place (new type) properly in the cases.

15 Definition

To apply; to put.

16 Definition

To impose (a burden, punishment, command, tax, etc.).

Example Sentences
  • to lay a tax on land
17 Definition

To impute; to charge; to allege.

Synonyms
ascribe attribute
18 Definition

To present or offer.

Example Sentences
  • to lay an indictment in a particular county;   to lay a scheme before one
19 Definition

To rest in a horizontal position on a surface.

Example Sentences
  • The book lies on the table;  the snow lies on the roof;  he lies in his coffin
20 Definition

To be placed or situated.

21 Definition

To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition.

Example Sentences
  • The paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
22 Definition

Used with in: to be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist.

23 Definition

Used with with: to have sexual relations with.

24 Definition

Used with on/upon: to be incumbent (on); to be the responsibility of a person.

25 Definition

To lodge; to sleep.

26 Definition

To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.

27 Definition

To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.

28 Definition

To don or put on (tefillin (phylacteries)).

Adjective
3 definition(s)
1 Definition

Not belonging to the clergy, but associated with them.

Example Sentences
  • They seemed more lay than clerical.
2 Definition

Non-professional; not being a member of an organized institution.

3 Definition

Not educated or cultivated; ignorant.