part of speech: verb
inflections: lays, laying, laid
definition 1: to place, put, or spread (something long or flat) over a surface.
- He laid the pencil on the table.
synonyms: place, put, set
definition 2: to place or put down in a flattened position.
- She will lay the carpet herself.
synonyms: even, flatten, level
definition 3: to give or put.
- He lays the blame for the accident on me.
synonyms: attribute
definition 4: to think of or come up with.
- The generals laid their plans for the next attack.
synonyms: conceive, devise, frame, plan
definition 5: to produce an egg.
- The hen laid an egg.
synonyms: bear, deposit, produce
part of speech: noun
definition: the way in which land is arranged or formed.
- He hiked around for a week to become familiar with the lay of the park.
synonyms: composition, contour, design, form, scheme, structure
part of speech: verb
definition: past tense of lie.
lay or lie?
Lay means to put or place something on a flat surface. Lie means to be or stay in a flat position. These words are easy to confuse because their meanings are similar and the past tense of lie is lay.
Compare:
Lay the mail on the table.
He laid the mail on the table.
Lie down if you are tired.
Yesterday, I lay down for a short rest.
