Lay

Quick meaning: Lay is a verb meaning To place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

1. To cause to subside or abate.
2. To prepare (a plan, project etc.); to set out, establish (a law, principle).
3. To install certain building materials, laying one thing on top of another.
4. To produce and deposit (an egg or eggs).
5. To bet (that something is or is not the case).
6. To deposit (a stake) as a wager; to stake; to risk.
7. To have sex with.

Example Sentences

A shower of rain lays the dust.

to lay a book on the table; to lay a body in the grave

A stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den.

But how upon the winds being laid, doth the ship cease to move?

Word Forms

• lays
• laying
• layest
• layeth

Synonyms for lay

Depending on context, synonyms include laic, laical, laicist, becalm, bed, coit.

Antonyms for lay

Common opposites include clerical, secular.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include set, put down, repose, put, position, place.

Commonly Confused & Compared Words

Related Dictionary Tools