Lay is often used where lie is considered standard, as in "I'm going to lay down for a quick nap." The use, which dates to the 14th century, troubled no one until the 18th, but since then, people who care …

lay verb (PUT DOWN) Add to word list C1 [ T usually + adv/prep ] to put something in especially a flat or horizontal position, usually carefully or for a particular purpose:

Lay definition: to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest; set down.. See examples of LAY used in a sentence.

Lay is used with some nouns in expressions about accusing or blaming someone. For example, if you lay the blame for a mistake on someone, you say it is their fault, or if the police lay charges against …

1. To give up; abandon: lay aside all hope of rescue. 2. To save for the future: laid aside money for a vacation.

Nov 17, 2025 · One is that the form lay was also originally used as both the base form of lay and as the simple past of lie. Another is the use of lay as a reflexive verb meaning “to go lie (down)”.

Lie is a verb which means ‘to be in or put yourself into a flat position’. It is an irregular verb and it doesn’t take an object. The -ing form is lying and the past simple is lay. The -ed form, lain, is very formal and …

Lay means "to place something down flat," while lie means "to be in a flat position on a surface." The key difference is that lay is transitive and requires an object to act upon, and lie is intransitive, …

lay adjective [always before noun] (NOT A PRIEST) involved in religious activities, but not trained as a priest: a lay preacher

Benjamin Lay (January 26, 1682 – February 8, 1759) was an English-born writer, farmer and activist. Born in Copford, Essex into a Quaker family, he underwent an apprenticeship as a glovemaker …