Word Explorer

Lay

/leɪ/

Arrangement or relationship; layout.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Lay"

noun

1
Arrangement or relationship; layout.
"the lay of the land"
2
A share of the profits in a business.
3
A lyrical, narrative poem written in octosyllabic couplets that often deals with tales of adventure and romance.
4
The direction a rope is twisted.
"Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way."

verb

1
To place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position.
"A shower of rain lays the dust."
2
To cause to subside or abate.
3
To prepare (a plan, project etc.); to set out, establish (a law, principle).
4
To install certain building materials, laying one thing on top of another.
"lay brick; lay flooring"

🔄 Synonyms of "Lay"

12 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
reposenoun	(intransitive) (also figurative) To lean or recline, sit down, or lie down to rest; to rest.
setverb	(transitive) To put (something) down, to rest.
profanenoun	Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or scorn; blasphemous, impious.
positionnoun	A place or location.
poseverb	(transitive) To place in an attitude or fixed position, for the sake of effect.
balladnoun	A kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.
putverb	To physically place (something or someone somewhere).
put downverb	(idiomatic) To insult, belittle, or demean.
laicnoun	Lay, relating to laypersons, as opposed to clerical.
nonprofessionalnoun	One who is not a professional; an amateur.
placenoun	(physical) An area; somewhere within an area.
secularnoun	Not specifically religious; lay or civil, as opposed to clerical.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Lay"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
setverb	(transitive) To put (something) down, to rest.
put downverb	(idiomatic) To insult, belittle, or demean.
reposeverb	(intransitive) (also figurative) To lean or recline, sit down, or lie down to rest; to rest.
putverb	To physically place (something or someone somewhere).
positionverb	To put into place.
placeverb	(transitive) To put (someone or something) in a specific location.
profaneverb	(transitive) To violate (something sacred); to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate
nonprofessionalnoun	One who is not a professional; an amateur.
laicnoun	Lay, relating to laypersons, as opposed to clerical.
secularnoun	Not specifically religious; lay or civil, as opposed to clerical.
balladverb	(intransitive) To compose or sing ballads.
poseverb	(transitive) To place in an attitude or fixed position, for the sake of effect.
sitverb	(intransitive, copulative, of a person) To be in a position in which the upper body is upright and supported by the buttocks.
resideverb	To dwell permanently or for a considerable time; to have a settled abode for a time; to remain for a long time.
takeverb	(transitive) To get into one's hands, possession, or control, with or without force.
carryverb	(transitive) To lift (something) and take it to another place; to transport (something) by lifting.
disposeverb	(intransitive, with of) To eliminate or to get rid of something.
discardverb	(transitive) To throw away, to reject.
tossverb	To throw with an initial upward direction.
castverb	(physical) To move, or be moved, away.