lay
lay — verb
1. to place an object carefully onto a surface, so that it lies flat or is in the c
to place an object carefully onto a surface, so that it lies flat or is in the correct position
Mayumi laid the baby gently on the changing table and reached for a fresh nappy.
lay + noun + adverb/preposition indicating location
The workers are laying new floor tiles in the kitchen this morning.
progressive aspect: laying + object
Bilal laid the documents flat on the manager's desk before leaving.
lay + noun + adjective (flat) + adverb of place
Kasia laid the table with clean plates and shiny forks for the dinner guests.
collocation: lay the table
New fibre-optic cables were laid along the entire street last month.
passive: be laid + adverb of place
- lay a cable
- lay the table
- lay tiles
- lay a carpet
- lay a baby down
- lay something flat
Grammar Patterns
lay + noun + adverb/preposition
Usage Note
Object is typically something that needs to be arranged or positioned carefully (cables, tiles, tableware, a baby). Frequently followed by a prepositional phrase or adverb indicating the location.
2. to put a coat or layer of a substance such as paint or mud onto a surface
to put a coat or layer of a substance such as paint or mud onto a surface
Vinícius laid a thick coat of paint on the old fence before the rain started.
lay + substance + on + surface
The gardener laid fresh mulch around the rose bushes to keep the soil moist.
Before baking, Folake laid a thin layer of butter on the cake pan.
Workers laid hot asphalt on the road leading up to the school entrance.
collocation: lay asphalt / lay a layer
- lay paint
- lay a layer
- lay asphalt
- lay concrete
- lay mulch
- lay a coat of something
Grammar Patterns
lay + substance + on/over + surface
Usage Note
Common pattern: lay + [substance or material] + on/over + [surface]. The focus is on covering or coating, not on precise positioning of a whole object.
3. to think through and set up a plan, system, or method in a careful, organised wa
to think through and set up a plan, system, or method in a careful, organised way
The committee laid plans for the annual charity event six months in advance.
collocation: lay plans
Andrei laid the groundwork for his new business by studying the local market carefully.
collocation: lay the groundwork for
The city council laid out a strategy to improve bus services across the whole region.
Before the trial began, the lawyers laid the foundation for their argument in a written statement.
- lay plans
- lay the groundwork
- lay the foundation
- lay a strategy
- lay the framework
Grammar Patterns
lay + abstract noun (plans, groundwork, foundation)
Usage Note
Objects are typically abstract nouns such as plans, groundwork, foundation, strategy, or framework. This sense often appears in formal, academic, or business contexts. Distinguish from sense 1 (PUT DOWN): sense 3 deals with abstract preparation, not physical placement.
4. the past simple form of the verb 'lie' (meaning to be in a flat position with th
the past simple form of the verb 'lie' (meaning to be in a flat position with the body stretched out on a surface)
The dog lay by the fire all afternoon while the children played nearby.
subject (animal) + lay + adverb of place
Greta lay on the grass and stared up at the clouds passing overhead.
His phone lay on the kitchen counter for hours before he noticed it.
inanimate subject + lay (position)
The old cat lay curled up on the sofa most of the morning.
- lay on the floor
- lay in bed
- lay in the sun
- lay asleep
Grammar Patterns
subject + lay + adverb of place
Usage Note
This is the correct past tense of the intransitive verb 'lie' (recline). It takes no direct object. Distinguish from sense 5 (NON-STANDARD): sense 4 is grammatically correct; sense 5 uses 'lay' for the present tense of 'lie', which is considered an error.
Common Mistakes
5. to be in a flat or resting position, used by some speakers instead of the standa
to be in a flat or resting position, used by some speakers instead of the standard verb 'lie' — this use is widely regarded as incorrect in careful speech and writing
Mathieu's teacher told him not to say 'I need to lay down' when he wants to rest.
common learner error highlighted
In casual talk people say 'the book is laying on the table,' but formal writing prefers 'lying.'
A notice board sign read 'Go and lay down,' and a reader corrected it with a marker.
Brian's essay was marked down because he wrote 'lay on the beach' not 'lie on the beach.'
Grammar Patterns
lay (used incorrectly for lie)
Usage Note
Frequently flagged as an error in English exams and formal contexts. Standard forms: lie (present), lay (past), lain (past participle). 'Lay' as a present-tense verb always requires a direct object (e.g., 'lay the book down').
Common Mistakes
6. (of a female animal such as a bird, fish, or insect) to release eggs from inside
(of a female animal such as a bird, fish, or insect) to release eggs from inside the body
The hen lays one egg almost every day during the warm summer months.
collocation: lay eggs
Sea turtles lay their eggs on the exact same beach where they themselves were born.
Sivan found a nest in the garden where a blackbird had laid four blue eggs.
The salmon swims upstream, lays thousands of eggs in the gravel, and then dies.
transitive: lay + eggs + adverb of place
Our backyard chickens stopped laying completely when the temperature dropped below zero.
intransitive: subject + stop + laying
- lay eggs
- lay an egg
- start laying
- stop laying
- lay well (of hens)
Grammar Patterns
lay + eggs
subject (animal) + lays
Usage Note
Used of birds, reptiles, fish, insects, and egg-laying mammals (e.g., the platypus). Not used for human reproduction. When used without 'eggs' (intransitive), the meaning is already understood (e.g., 'The hens are laying well this year').
7. to be sexually intimate with another person — this word is very direct and can s
to be sexually intimate with another person — this word is very direct and can sound rude if used carelessly
In some old novels, male characters boast about how many women they have laid.
informal register; boast of quantity
Jack's friends teased him for saying he had laid someone on the first date.
direct object = person
The film's villain casually claims he has laid every woman in the village.
Mira felt embarrassed when her date joked about laying other women.
gerund form: laying + person
Christopher's grandfather would never say "lay" to mean sex — he thought the word was crude.
register note: considered crude by some
- lay a woman/man
- have laid someone
- sleep with
softer and more common in everyday speech
- go to bed with
less direct, still somewhat informal but not crude
Grammar Patterns
lay + person
Usage Note
Considered vulgar or crude by many speakers. Avoid using this sense in polite conversation or formal writing. The past tense is laid, not 'layed'.
Common Mistakes
8. to risk an amount of money by guessing the result of a competition, race, or gam
to risk an amount of money by guessing the result of a competition, race, or game, hoping that your guess is correct
Lucia laid fifty dollars on the grey horse to win the race.
lay + money + on + outcome
Darius laid a bet that his team would win the championship this year.
lay + a bet + that-clause
The gambler laid all his savings on a single card game and lost everything.
lay + all [possessive] savings on [event]
Soraya decided to lay a small amount on each football match that weekend.
Anong laid a wager with her brother over who could finish the puzzle first.
- lay money on
- lay a bet
- lay a wager
- lay odds
Grammar Patterns
lay + money + on + result
lay + a bet / a wager
Usage Note
Frequently used with a sum of money or the nouns bet and wager as the direct object. Common in the context of horse racing, card games, and sports.
Common Mistakes
9. to present a claim, accusation, or piece of information in a formal or official
to present a claim, accusation, or piece of information in a formal or official way, especially to someone in authority
The lawyer laid serious accusations of fraud before the judge.
lay + accusation + before + authority figure
The police commissioner laid formal charges against the company director.
lay + charges + against + person
Mei laid her concerns before the school board at the meeting.
The committee laid a full report before Parliament for review.
lay + report + before + institution
Élise laid a complaint with the manager about the poor service.
- lay charges
- lay accusations
- lay a complaint
- lay a report
- lay before
Grammar Patterns
lay + accusation / charge / claim + before + authority
lay + statement + before + [person / institution]
Usage Note
Common in legal and administrative contexts. The pattern 'lay [something] before [someone/an institution]' is especially frequent in British English. The direct object is typically an abstract noun (accusation, charge, claim, complaint, report, statement).
Common Mistakes
10. to state that something belongs to you or that you have a legal or moral right t
to state that something belongs to you or that you have a legal or moral right to it — for example, claiming ownership of a piece of land, an object, or a title
The farmer laid claim to the land his family had worked for three generations.
lay claim to + property
No one has ever laid claim to the jewellery found hidden in the old house.
negative construction: no one + lay claim to
The museum director laid claim to the ancient vase on behalf of the nation.
Yael laid claim to the title of regional champion after winning the final match.
lay claim to + abstract right / title
Several distant relatives suddenly laid claim to the widow's estate after her death.
- lay claim to
- lay claim to land
- lay claim to a title
- lay claim to an inheritance
- claim
simpler and more common; 'claim' can stand alone ('He claimed the land'), while 'lay claim to' is more formal and emphatic
- assert ownership of
more technical and legal in tone
Grammar Patterns
lay claim to + noun phrase
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'lay claim to [something]'. The object can be concrete (land, money, an object) or abstract (a title, a right, an achievement). This sense does not take a that-clause or a simple direct object on its own.
Common Mistakes
lay about
phrasal verbTo hit or attack someone or something wildly in all directions.
The angry man laid about with a stick, breaking several windows.
When the bees attacked, the hiker laid about wildly with his hat.
lay about you
phrasal verbTo hit or attack people or things around you with force.
The knight laid about him with his sword, driving the enemies back.
In the dark, the frightened guard laid about him with a flashlight.
lay aside
phrasal verbTo stop using or thinking about something for a period of time.
Maya laid aside her book to answer the phone.
Let's lay aside our differences and work together.
lay down
phrasal verbTo put something flat on a surface or to establish a rule or principle.
The carpenter laid down his tools and took a break.
The school laid down new rules about cell phone use.
lay in
phrasal verbTo collect and store a supply of something for future use.
Before the storm, we laid in plenty of food and water.
The family laid in firewood for the winter.
lay into
phrasal verbTo attack someone physically or with strong words.
The coach laid into the team for their poor performance.
Two boys laid into each other after the game.
lay off
phrasal verbTo stop employing someone because there is not enough work, or to stop doing or using something.
The company had to lay off 50 workers last month.
You should lay off sugar if you want to lose weight.
lay on
phrasal verbTo provide or arrange something, especially food, entertainment, or transport.
The hotel laid on a free breakfast for all guests.
The company laid on a bus to take employees to the event.
lay out
phrasal verbTo spread something out so it can be seen or used, or to explain something clearly.
Sara laid out the map on the table to plan the route.
The teacher laid out the steps for the science experiment.
lay over
phrasal verbTo stay somewhere for a short time during a journey, especially a flight.
We will lay over in Chicago for two hours before our next flight.
The flight to Tokyo lays over in Seoul.
lay up
phrasal verbTo cause someone to stay in bed or be unable to work because of illness or injury.
A bad flu laid him up for a week.
The accident laid up the driver for several months.
lay — noun
1. an informal and potentially offensive way of referring to someone as a sexual pa
an informal and potentially offensive way of referring to someone as a sexual partner, with the focus on their skill or how willing they are — used with adjectives such as 'good,' 'great,' or 'easy'
Minh had a reputation around campus as an easy lay.
collocation: easy lay — someone easily persuaded to have sex
Élise told Wren that Esteban was a surprisingly good lay.
collocation: good lay — a skilled sexual partner
The crude joke among the construction crew was about who was the best lay.
superlative: the best lay
Reema considered the label 'good lay' a compliment, not an insult.
In some circles, casually calling someone a great lay is seen as disrespectful.
register note: often considered rude or disrespectful
- good lay
- great lay
- easy lay
- best lay
- surprisingly good lay
- sexual partner
neutral and clinical; no value judgment about skill
- lover
more romantic; implies an emotional relationship, not just sexual skill
- bed partner
also informal, but less common and slightly less crude than 'lay'
Grammar Patterns
a/an [adjective] + lay
the [superlative] + lay
Usage Note
Almost always used after an adjective (good, great, easy, best). This sense is very informal and can be offensive — avoid in polite or professional conversation.
Common Mistakes
lay — adjective
1. describes someone who is not specially trained or deeply informed about a partic
describes someone who is not specially trained or deeply informed about a particular field of activity
The financial report used many difficult terms that a lay reader could not understand.
lay + noun (reader/audience/public) for non-experts
Walid, a lay person with no medical training, asked a friend to check his essay.
This guide to computer programming is written for a lay audience, not for professional developers.
collocation: lay audience
As a lay person in economics, Ayana found the budget discussion completely confusing.
collocation: lay person
The scientist tried to explain her discovery in plain language for the lay public.
- lay audience
- lay person
- lay reader
- lay public
- lay opinion
- non-expert
more direct and commonly used in everyday speech; 'lay' is slightly more formal
- amateur
suggests someone does something for enjoyment rather than money; 'lay' focuses on lack of training, not payment
- untrained
emphasises the absence of formal instruction rather than general knowledge
- professional
the direct opposite in terms of training and qualifications
- expert
contrasts with 'lay' in terms of depth of knowledge
Grammar Patterns
lay + noun (person/reader/audience/public)
Usage Note
Always placed before a noun — cannot be used after a linking verb (✗ 'He is lay'). The noun it modifies is usually a person or a group of people: lay person, lay reader, lay audience, lay public.
Common Mistakes
2. relating to a member of a religious community who serves the organisation withou
relating to a member of a religious community who serves the organisation without being an officially ordained priest, minister, or paid church employee
The church hired Dahlia as a lay worker to run the food bank.
collocation: lay worker
Christopher trained for two years before becoming a lay preacher at his local church.
collocation: lay preacher
Lay members of the church help serve meals at the shelter every Saturday morning.
A lay minister from the next town led Sunday service when the priest was away.
collocation: lay minister
Several lay volunteers clean and organise the church building at the weekend.
- lay minister
- lay preacher
- lay leader
- lay member
- lay worker
- lay volunteer
- non-clerical
more formal and technical; 'lay' is the everyday term in religious communities
- non-ordained
specifically means not having received holy orders; narrower than 'lay'
- laity (collective noun)
refers to lay people as a group rather than describing an individual's position
Grammar Patterns
lay + noun (minister/preacher/leader/member/worker)
Usage Note
Always placed before a noun. Commonly pairs with church-related roles (lay minister, lay preacher, lay leader, lay worker). The opposite role is 'ordained' or 'clerical'. Not used outside a religious context.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Lay (PUT DOWN) means to put something carefully onto a surface so it lies flat or is arranged correctly — e.g., 'Mayumi laid the baby gently on the changing table.' Place is more neutral and general; it does not imply flatness or special care: 'She placed the vase on the shelf.' Put is the most common and all-purpose word; it can replace lay or place in most informal contexts, but lacks the precision: 'He put the book on the desk.' Set suggests positioning something upright or ready for use: 'She set the plates on the table.' The biggest confusion for learners is with lie (to recline), which is intransitive and takes no object. The key test: if you can replace the word with 'put' followed by an object, use lay (or laid in the past); if there is no object and someone/something is already in a flat position, use lie (lay in the past). E.g., 'I laid the keys on the counter' (put the keys) vs. 'I lay on the sofa' (I reclined).
Common collocations
Etymology
The verb lay comes from Old English lecgan ('to put down, place on the ground'), from Proto-Germanic *lagjan, and is related to lie (recline). The adjective lay (meaning 'non-clerical' or 'non-professional') has a completely different origin: it entered Middle English from Old French lai, from Latin laicus, from Greek laikos ('of the people'), which is rooted in laos ('people'). The two branches — a Germanic verb and a Romance adjective — share the same spelling in modern English but have unrelated histories.