laid

laid — verb

1. The past tense and past participle form of the verb 'lay' — used when someone pl

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

The past tense and past participle form of the verb 'lay' — used when someone placed something carefully on a surface, set items in position, or a bird or reptile produced eggs, as a completed action in the past.

Example

Jabari laid the baby gently onto the soft blanket.

lay + object + prepositional phrase indicating location

Devika laid the table with clean plates and shiny forks.

collocation: lay the table

Common collocations
  • lay the table
  • lay eggs
  • lay the foundation
  • lay bricks/tiles/carpet
  • lay a trap
  • lay blame on someone
Synonyms
  • placed

    more neutral and general — 'placed' does not always imply the careful or deliberate positioning that 'laid' suggests

  • put

    less formal and more common in everyday speech — 'put' is simpler but less specific about the manner of placement

  • set

    often used for arranging items in a specific position, especially with 'table' or 'trap'

Antonyms
  • lifted

    moving something upward instead of placing it down

  • removed

    taking something away rather than putting it in position

Grammar Patterns

lay + object + adverb/prepositional phrase

have/has/had laid + object

was/were laid + (by agent)

Usage Note

Frequently confused with 'lied' (past of 'lie' meaning 'not tell the truth') and 'lay' (present tense). Remember: 'lay' → 'laid' → 'laid' (put down) but 'lie' → 'lay' → 'lain' (recline) and 'lie' → 'lied' → 'lied' (not tell the truth).

Common Mistakes

He layed the book on the counter.
He laid the book on the counter.
'Layed' is not a standard English word; the correct past form of 'lay' is 'laid'.
She laid down for a nap.
She lay down for a nap.
'Lay' (not 'laid') is the past tense of 'lie' (recline); 'laid' is the past of 'lay' (put something down).

Word family

  • lay
    verbB1
  • layer
    nounA2
  • laying
    nounB2
  • layabout
    nounC2
  • layout
    nounB2
  • layoff
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words describe putting something somewhere, but they differ in formality and precision. 'Laid' (past of 'lay') often implies a deliberate, careful, or horizontal placement — you lay a baby on a blanket or lay bricks in a wall. 'Placed' is more neutral and slightly formal, focusing on the fact that something is in a particular spot ('He placed the vase on the shelf'). 'Put' is the most general and informal, used for almost any transfer of an object ('She put her bag on the chair'). 'Set' suggests arranging something in a precise or expected position, especially for a purpose ('He set the plates on the table for dinner'). Use 'laid' when the emphasis is on the deliberate downward or flat positioning; use 'put' for everyday speech; and use 'set' for arranging items in a prepared or ready state.

placedput ↗set ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Laid' comes from the Old English verb 'lecgan' (to place or put down). Its past form 'legde' developed into Middle English 'legde' → 'layde' → modern 'laid'. It is related to the German word 'legen' (to lay) and Dutch 'leggen'. The word has been used for placing objects on surfaces since before the 12th century, and the egg-laying meaning dates back to the 13th century.