lay by

verb

laid by; laying by; lays by

transitive verb

1

: to lay aside : discard

2

: to store for future use : save

3

: to cultivate (a crop, such as corn) for the last time

Synonyms of lay by

• dump
• discard
• ditch
• unload
• lose
• throw away
• slough (off)

Examples of lay by in a Sentence

a politician who had laid by his principles years ago

ever since the last hurricane caught them unprepared, they have laid by emergency supplies

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lay by

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.