Lay is often used where lie is considered standard, as in "I'm going to lay down for a quick nap." The use, which dates to the 14th century, troubled no one until the 18th, but since then, people who care about such things have tried to teach the rest of us that a person lies, not lays, down. Lay in the related use means "to place (someone or something) down gently in a flat position." It requires an object; there must be a thing or person being placed.
Lay it down.
It's time to lay the baby down for a nap.
Lie, on the other hand, does not require an object; instead, the one lying down is already in position or is moving or going to move to such a position on their own.
The cat lies there every morning.
You can lie down on the sofa.
The tenses of the verbs complicate things further. Lay becomes laid and laying
VerbLay the fabric carefully on the table.
He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
She laid the baby in his crib for a nap.
When will they lay the foundation for the addition? lay tracks for the new railroad
They laid him in his grave. Noun (1)
my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter Noun (2)
the minstrel strummed a cheerful lay on his lute
she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband Adjective
a science magazine written for the lay public
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Verb
Swanson received the long ball, dribbled toward the middle of the box before laying it off to Joseph for the opening goal in the 34th minute.—
Phuoc Nguyen,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Aug. 2026 Each of these decisions laid the groundwork for the war on Iran today, one that started without a clear strategy on the arrogant expectation of a quick victory.—
Alexander Langlois,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Spiritual connections with monks A foundational feature of Theravada Buddhism is the relationship between monastics and the lay people.—
Brooke Schedneck,
The Conversation,
24 Aug. 2026 Surrounding ourselves with the best people and working on our team, developing ourselves and not just our staff but also our lay leaders.—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lay
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun (1)
Middle English leyen, from Old English lecgan; akin to Old English licgan to lie — more at lie
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Anglo-French lai — see layentry 5
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French lai, from Late Latin laicus, from Greek laikos of the people, from laos people
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"
