lay
noun
Definitions of lay noun
- Countable
The quality of someone's sexual performance or how often they engage in sexual activity.
She is an exceptional sexual partner.
She has gained a reputation for being sexually promiscuous.
verb
Definitions of lay verb
position
- C1TransitiveVerb + adv/prep
To place something in a flat or horizontal position, usually with care or for a specific purpose.
She gently laid the infant on the bed.
He laid the tray on the table.
She laid her book aside to answer the call.
plan
- Transitive
To create or develop a plan or method for accomplishing something.
Even the most carefully laid plans can sometimes go wrong.
recline
Past tense form of the verb 'lie'.
reproduction
- B2TransitiveIntransitive
When an animal or bird produces eggs from its body.
Thousands of sea turtles crawl onto the beach to lay their eggs in the sand.
intercourse
- Transitiveslang
To engage in sexual intercourse with someone.
Did you manage to get laid last night?
gamble
- Transitive
To risk something, typically money, on the outcome of an event.
I'd lay a bet that she won't get that job!
state
- Transitive
To make a formal statement or accusation.
She can't accept her own mistake and is now trying to lay the blame on her assistant.
Do you understand the seriousness of the accusations laid against you?
Phrases of lay verb
- lay claim to something
To assert ownership or a right to something.
• Several different companies have laid claim to the ownership of this groundbreaking technology.
adjective
Definitions of lay adjective
amateur
- Before noun
Lacking formal training or detailed knowledge in a particular subject.
From a layperson's perspective, this questionnaire is virtually incomprehensible.
religion
- Before noun
Holding a position in a religious organization that is not a full-time paid job.
a lay minister
Idioms
- lay something to rest
to put an end to something, such as a worry, fear, or concern, often by resolving it or proving it to be false.
• After a thorough investigation, they finally laid the rumors about the company's financial health to rest.
- lay bare something
to reveal something that was previously secret or hidden; to make something known
• The investigation report will lay bare the company's long-standing financial problems.
- lay it on a bit thick
To excessively praise or flatter someone.
• He was laying it on a bit thick with compliments about her new hairstyle, I thought.
- lay the ghost of something (to rest)
to finally stop being worried or upset about something that has troubled you for a long time
• After a thorough investigation, the police finally laid the ghost of the cold case to rest.
- lay something on the line
To put something at risk of being harmed or lost.
• If I reveal this information to you, I'd be laying my career on the line.
- lay up trouble for yourself
To do something that is likely to cause future problems or difficulties for oneself.
• You're laying up trouble for yourself if you don't pay your taxes now.
- lay someone to rest
To bury a deceased person; to inter a body.
• After a solemn ceremony, he was finally laid to rest.
- lay something (to) waste
To completely destroy something, often reducing it to ruins or a desolate state.
• The great fire laid the entire village to waste.
- lay the basis/foundations for something
to create the initial conditions or groundwork necessary for something to develop or succeed.
• This research lays the foundation for future scientific breakthroughs.
- lay something at someone's door
To attribute responsibility or blame for something to someone.
• The company laid the blame for the drop in sales at the door of the new advertising campaign.
- lay someone low
To cause someone to be unable to do their usual activities due to illness or discomfort; to incapacitate someone.
• A sudden bout of flu laid him low for nearly a week.
- lay yourself open to attack, criticism, ridicule, etc.
to behave in a way that makes it easy for others to criticize, attack, or make fun of you.
• She laid herself open to criticism by making such controversial remarks.
- lay a finger on someone
to harm or hurt someone, even in the slightest way.
• If you dare to lay a finger on him, you'll be in trouble.
- lay a hand on someone
To physically harm or strike someone.
• He warned that if I came near his child again, he would lay a hand on me.
Phrasal Verbs of lay
- lay something in
to acquire a stock of something in anticipation of future use
• They laid in enough food in anticipation of the upcoming winter.
- lay something on
to supply or arrange something for a group of people
• The manager decided to lay on dinner for the company's annual meeting, so they need to notify the restaurant in advance.
- lay something out
to organize items on a flat surface
• She laid out all the materials on the table to facilitate the upcoming work.
- lay something aside
to cease engaging with or considering something, typically for a brief duration
• In her busy life, she decided to lay work aside temporarily to focus on her family.
- lay something down
to keep wine stored for future consumption
• The vineyard owner decided to lay down his finest wines for special occasions in the future.
- lay into someone
to physically assault someone or to criticize someone harshly and angrily
• During the meeting, the manager laid into the employee who made the mistake.
- lay someone off
to terminate a person's employment, typically due to a lack of available work
• Due to financial difficulties, many employees were laid off.
- lay off (something/someone)
to cease the use of something or to discontinue an activity
• He decided to lay off the old equipment.
- lay something off
in football, to softly pass the ball into an open area so another teammate can seamlessly move forward with it or attempt a goal without losing momentum
• During the match, Mark laid the ball off to Danny gently so he could dribble past the defense.
- lay someone out
to arrange and prepare a deceased individual's body for burial
• Before the funeral, the family laid her out to allow friends and relatives to pay their respects.
- lay someone up
necessitate someone to remain in bed due to a condition or ailment
• His severe cold laid him up for a week.