lay
/ˈleɪ/
verbnounadjective
Core
1.v.put into a certain place or abstract location
“Put your things here”
2.v.put in a horizontal position
“lay the books on the table”
3.v.prepare or position for action or operation
“lay a fire”
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lay and lei are homophones: they are pronounced identically and spelled differently, which is why they are so often swapped. lay means “put into a certain place or abstract location”. lei means “flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes”. lay is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈleɪ/
1.v.put into a certain place or abstract location
“Put your things here”
2.v.put in a horizontal position
“lay the books on the table”
3.v.prepare or position for action or operation
“lay a fire”
/ˈleɪ/
| lay | lei | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈleɪ/ | /ˈleɪ/ |
| Said | lay | lay |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| Letters | 3 | 3 |
| Parts of speech | verb, noun, adjective | noun |
| Senses | 9 | 1 |
| How common | Core | Familiar |
| Synonyms | put, set, place | wreath, garland, coronal |
1.n.flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes