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 …

Lay or lie ? - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary

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

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

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 …

Oct 20, 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)”.

Oct 3, 2025 · Learn the difference between "lay vs lie" and how to use each correctly. Avoid common mistakes with simple explanations and examples.

Oct 13, 2025 · A popular potato chip company is undergoing a major makeover, due to a concerningly large swath of clueless customers, apparently. On Oct. 9, Lay’s announced its …

Lay and lie both have numerous meanings but the confusion most often arises where lay means to put down and lie means to recline. The distinction is very simple to remember, lay needs an …

Definition of lay verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.