Lay vs. Lie: Usage Guide
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 since. Generations of teachers and critics have succeeded in taming most literary and learned writing, but intransitive lay persists in familiar speech and is a bit more common in general prose than one might suspect. Much of the problem lies in the confusing similarity of the principal parts of the two words. Another influence may be a folk belief that lie is for people and lay is for things. Some commentators are ready to abandon the distinction, suggesting that lay is on the rise socially. But if it does rise to respectability, it is sure to do so slowly: many people have invested effort in learning to keep lie and lay distinct. Remember that even though many people do use lay for lie, others will judge you unfavorably if you do.
Synonyms
Verb (1)
Verb (2)
Noun (2)
Examples of lie in a Sentence
Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
Cynicism chooses to call such an illusion a delusion, but Pinocchio is one example of how a beautiful lie became something much larger, and eventually, led to the truth.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2023
Lenny nuzzles the infant, and the two men just sit quietly as the tenderness of the moment — and the overwhelming cruelty of this world and all its terrible lies — knocks you flat.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023
Butler is not afraid to explore this truth — nor the hard truths about Molly’s lies and manipulations — and any reader hoping to be protected from the realities of his experience should be warned there is no such safety.
—Jessica Ferri, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023
In a wide-ranging first season covering several picturesque locations and six decades, the brother/sister duo quickly learn that their father’s lifetime of lies and involvement with Monarch is only the tip of the iceberg.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
The Israeli raid of the Gaza Strip’s largest hospital stretched into its second day Thursday as troops searched for evidence of the extensive Hamas infrastructure that Israeli and U.S. officials have said lies beneath the facility.
—Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
His steadfast support of the 2020 election lies earned Brooks Trump's endorsement in the 2022 Alabama Senate Republican primary.
—Quinn Scanlan, ABC News, 12 Nov. 2023
His lies do not sound convincing — or perhaps I’m just conditioned to be suspicious of everything a Nathan Fielder character, by any name, does in one of his shows — but a relieved Whitney buys in completely, then rushes off to finish recording voiceover for the pilot with Dougie.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023
Caroline Brew, Variety, 25 Nov. 2023
The enduring connection between Gossip Girl and The O.C. lies in the union of its two stars: Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf) and Adam Brody (Seth Cohen), who got married in 2014 and have two children together.
—Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2023
Also key for frequent fliers are the corner bumpers and side and top grips that lay flush with the bag, which makes this luggage more durable when handled by airline crew.
—Morgan Ashley Parker, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2023
Among Democrats, 41% said their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, while 34% said their sympathies lie more with the Israelis.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 24 Nov. 2023
The next photo showed Malcolm lying on the streets of New York City, legs splayed as his dad stared down at him.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
For months, his body had lain in the Hinds County morgue, unclaimed.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2023
Anyone and everyone is allowed their three minutes to speak their mind and lay out their argument at a city council meeting.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023
Influencers Leverage Authentic Storytelling At the core of every influencer's success lies one critical attribute: authenticity.
—Danielle Wiley, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Verb (1) and Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English licgan; akin to Old High German ligen to lie, Latin lectus bed, Greek lechos
Verb (2)
Middle English, from Old English lēogan; akin to Old High German liogan to lie, Old Church Slavonic lŭgati
Noun (2)
Middle English lige, lie, from Old English lyge; akin to Old High German lugī, Old English lēogan to lie
Verb (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun (1)
1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing lie
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Dictionary Entries Near lie
Cite this Entry
“Lie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
lie
1 of 4 verblie
2 of 4 nounlie
3 of 4 verb
lie
4 of 4 nounVerb
Old English licgan "to get into or be in a horizontal position"
Verb
Old English lēogan "to say something that is not true"
Legal Definition
lie
intransitive verbScott v. Bradford, 606 P.2d 554 (1979)W. L. Prosser and W. P. KeetonD. Q. Posin
Biographical Definition
Lie
2 of 2biographical name (2)
More from Merriam-Webster on lie
Nglish: Translation of lie for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lie for Arabic Speakers
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