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verb · A1 · very often · UK/US

lay

lay

Meaning of lay

was in a horizontal position; put down

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A1very often

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Pronunciation
British English/leɪ/
American English/leɪ/
Russian transcription[lʲɪˈʐal]
lay
lay - лежал
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lay with Russian translation

lay usage examples

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Кошка лежала на солнце.

The cat lay in the sun.

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Пожалуйста, положи книгу на стол.

Please lay the book on the table.

Learn by topic

lay belongs to the topic "Top 2500". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

layлежал
cookготовить
changeменять
tieзавязывать
followследовать
removeубирать
feelощущаться

lay synonyms

Related word breakdowns

What's the difference between lay / sat / was lying / reclined / rested / propped

🇬🇧English
lay

same base word; can mean to be in a horizontal position or to put something down, depending on grammar

A1Very Often

He lay on the sofa.

Он лежал на диване.

S
🇬🇧English
sat

means to be seated, not lying horizontally

A1Often

She sat in the chair.

Она сидела на стуле.

W
🇬🇧English
was lying

past progressive form showing someone or something was in a lying position

A1Very Often

He was lying on the floor.

Он лежал на полу.

R
🇬🇧English
reclined

more formal; often means leaning back or lying in a relaxed position

A1Rarely

He reclined on the chair.

Он откинулся на стуле.

R
🇬🇧English
rested

focuses on resting or being still, not specifically on lying flat

A1Often

She rested after a long walk.

Она отдыхала после долгой прогулки.

P
🇬🇧English
propped

means supported in an upright or partly upright position, not simply lying

A1Rarely

He propped the ladder against the wall.

Он прислонил лестницу к стене.

L
🇬🇧English
lay down

means to move into a lying position

A1Very Often

Please lay down and relax.

Пожалуйста, лягте и расслабьтесь.

P
🇬🇧English
place down

means to put an object down carefully; usually not about a person lying

A1Often

Please place the book down on the table.

Пожалуйста, положите книгу на стол.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for lay

How to pronounce lay and what this word means

lay translation: лежал. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce lay

/leɪ/

lay translation

лежал

lay examples

The cat lay in the sun.

lay transcription

/leɪ/, /leɪ/

How this dictionary entry is reviewed

ZapomniEnglish prepares dictionary data automatically, then the editorial workflow checks high-frequency words, top lists, and pages that already receive search impressions first.

Translation and meaningPronunciation and transcriptionExamples, synonyms, and topics

Questions about this word

lay meaning: what does it mean?

was in a horizontal position; put down

lay pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

lay is pronounced as /leɪ/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

lay definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

The cat lay in the sun. Translation: Кошка лежала на солнце.

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