English word
Lay
Definitions
verb
- to beat or strike down with force
- to put (strands) in place and twist to form a rope, hawser, or cable
- to make by putting strands in place and twistingalso
- to impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
- to put as a burden of reproach
- to advance as an accusation : impute
- to place (something immaterial) on something
- prepare, contrive
- to bring against or into contact with something : apply
- to prepare or position for action or operation
- to adjust (a gun) to the proper direction and elevationalso
- to bring to a specified condition
- assert, allege
- to put or set down
- to submit for examination and judgment
- to copulate withoften vulgar
- to produce and deposit eggs
- lie entry 1nonstandard
- wager, bet
- plan, preparedialect
- to apply oneself vigorously
- to proceed to a specified place or position on a ship
- to place for rest or sleep
- buryespecially
- to bring forth and deposit (an egg)
- calm, allay
- bet, wager
- to press down giving a smooth and even surface
- to dispose or spread over or on a surface
- to set in order or position
Synonyms for lay
Closest evidence-backed alternatives.
Synonyms by context
To put or apply as a layer or coating
verb
- spread
- layer
- smear
- coat
- cover
- lather
- plaster
- slather
- smother
- apply
To present or put forward
verb
- present
- offer
- advance
- lodge
- submit
- bring
- file
- prefer
- press
A structured arrangement of items within certain limits
noun
- layout
- arrangement
- format
- configuration
- design
- formation
- composition
- outline
- pattern
- organisation
A musical or lyrical composition
noun
- song
- tune
- melody
- ditty
- air
- ballad
- strain
- warble
- jingle
- vocal
A song, typically a religious one of praise to God or a god
noun
- hymn
- psalm
- canticle
- carol
- anthem
- chorale
- chant
- spiritual
- paean
Not having professional qualifications or expert knowledge, especially in law or medicine
adjective
- untrained
- inexpert
- amateur
- dilettante
- unqualified
- nonprofessional
- nonspecialist
- ordinary
- non-professional
- non-specialist
Not ordained into or belonging to the clergy
adjective
- secular
- temporal
- civil
- civilian
- laic
- laical
- nonclerical
- uninitiated
- unsacred
- non-clerical
Antonyms for lay
- destroy
- disturb
- confuse
- disorder
- disorganize
- displace
- depart
Opposite of to position or place something in a particular place or spot
- raise
- confuse
- depart
- destroy
- disarrange
- disestablish
- disorder
- disorganize
- displace
- disturb
Opposite of to present or put forward
- deny
- refuse
- withhold
- be active
Opposite of to inflict or impose, especially a charge or penalty
- remit
- excuse
- aid
- help
- keep
Opposite of not having professional qualifications or expert knowledge, especially in law or medicine
- professional
- qualified
- trained
- educated
- expert
- taught
- schooled
- skilled
- experienced
Opposite of not ordained into or belonging to the clergy
- ordained
Opposite of designed to suit the general public rather than specialists or intellectuals
- sophisticated
- highbrow
- cultured
- stimulating
- academic
- cerebral
- cultivated
- elitist
- challenging
- intellective
Opposite of a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
- cacophony
- disagreement
- discord
- disharmony
Opposite of a person's regular occupation, profession, or trade
- amusement
- avocation
- entertainment
- fun
- hobby
- pastime
- recreation
- surrender
- unemployment
- quiet
Phrases
- allocate to
- ascribe to
- assign to
- attach to
- attribute to
- bed in
- build in
- consign to
- deposit it
- dig in
- fit out
- fix in position
- fix into
- fix up
- fling down
- ground in
- hold up
- impute to
- kit out
- lay down