Language Research

lay · verb T

/leɪ/Full view

lay eggs

B2 If an animal lays eggs, it produces them out of its body.

Dictionary example:

The hens have laid a lot of eggs this week.

Learner example:

The only thing they can do is to lay eggs. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

lay sth down/in/on, etc.

C1 to put something down somewhere carefully

Dictionary examples:

She laid the baby in the crib.

He laid the tray down on the table.

She laid her book on the table and went to answer the phone.

Learner example:

Veterans lay flowers on the graves of those who'd died during the War. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

lay sb off or lay off sb

B2 to stop employing someone, usually because there is no work for them to do

Dictionary example:

Because of falling orders, the company has been forced to lay off several hundred workers.

Learner example:

Dear Madam, I am John Smith, I work in a factory although it will not be for a long time because the company is beginning to lay off a lot of workers. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

lay sth out or lay out sth (EXPLAIN)

C1 to explain something clearly, usually in writing

Dictionary example:

We have asked them to lay out their plans for the future of the park.

Learner example:

I would like you to rewrite the colum[n], making all the changes I have laid out for you. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

lay sth out or lay out sth (ARRANGE)

C1 to arrange or design something, or to show how the parts of something will fit together

Dictionary example:

The designer laid out the book with pictures on every page.

Learner example:

By studying the effects of rain and ways to handle the expected amount of water one can plan the laying out of the new roads and correct the deficiencies in the present ones. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

lay sth out or lay out sth (SPEND)

C2 to spend money, especially if it seems like a large amount

Dictionary example:

He has laid out $40,000 to fund Little League teams in California.

Learner example:

It is their character, their interests or maybe some su[b]tle power that makes people lay out a vast sum of money for a picture of a piece of jewelry. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)