; laying
Lay vs. Lie: Usage Guide
Lay has been used intransitively in the sense of "lie"
since the 14th century. The practice was unremarked until around 1770; attempts to correct it have been a fixture of schoolbooks ever since. Generations of teachers and critics have succeeded in taming most literary and learned writing, but intransitive lay persists in familiar speech and is a bit more common in general prose than one might suspect. Much of the problem lies in the confusing similarity of the principal parts of the two words. Another influence may be a folk belief that lie is for people and lay is for things. Some commentators are ready to abandon the distinction, suggesting that lay is on the rise socially. But if it does rise to respectability, it is sure to do so slowly: many people have invested effort in learning to keep lie and lay distinct. Remember that even though many people do use lay for lie, others will judge you unfavorably if you do.
lay
3 of 5past tense of lie
Examples of lay in a Sentence
Giana Levy, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
An exploration of love, laying bare the emotional highs and lows of a couple from their first meeting, the show premiered at the UK’s National Theatre in 2008 before going on a 100-date world tour.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Not having to change planes en route to Singapore is a major perk for travelers hoping to catch some sleep on the long-haul international flight — especially those in business class, who can take advantage of SIA’s plush leather seats that convert into lay-flat beds.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lay
1 of 5 verb
; laying
lay
2 of 5 nounlay
3 of 5past of lie entry 1
lay
4 of 5 nounlay
5 of 5 adjectiveVerb
Old English lecgan "to beat down"
Noun
Middle English lay "ballad," from early French lai (same meaning)
Adjective
Middle English lay "of the people other than priests and clergy," from early French lai (same meaning), from Latin laicus "of the people," derived from Greek laos "people"
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