lie vs lay

Definitions

verb

1. be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
2. originate (in)
3. be and remain in a particular state or condition
4. have a place in relation to something else
5. be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position

and more 2 ...

noun

1. a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
2. position or manner in which something is situated

Examples

Elisabeth found herself with a straggle of colonists in a mosquito-ridden, uncleared jungle where sandflies bored into the skin of the feet and the clay soil was so intractable that nothing would grow.

The residents are mostly impoverished families who survive by collecting recyclable garbage.

Rows of brick garden apartments all backed onto a massive common garden: a shared backyard for children to play, dogs to gambol, and families to eat picnics together.

View all examples

Definitions

adjective

1. characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
2. not of or from a profession

verb

1. put in a horizontal position
2. impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
3. prepare or position for action or operation
4. put into a certain place or abstract location
5. lay eggs

noun

1. a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
2. a narrative poem of popular origin

Examples

There were 42 free-kicks, two penalties, four bookings and three players sent off, two of whom had to be escorted from the pitch by police.

A little pyrotechnics display tacked on just serves to emphasise its lack of cutting edge.

She tore her eyes from them for a moment to spy the bodhrán player in the tree, tapping out her rhythm with her eyes closed, not noticing the spy amongst them.

View all examples