laid
C1Neutral to informal; specific meanings (e.g., 'get laid') are highly informal/vulgar.
Definition
Meaning
past tense and past participle of 'lay', meaning to put something down in a flat position, or to prepare/arrange something.
Often used metaphorically to indicate establishing a foundation (e.g., laid the groundwork), putting something in place, or causing something to settle/be in a certain state (e.g., laid to rest, laid bare). Also has specific informal and sexual meanings.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A principal source of confusion is the transitive verb 'lay' (laid, laid) vs. the intransitive verb 'lie' (lay, lain). 'Laid' always requires a direct object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. The informal/vulgar sense is common in both.
Connotations
Neutral in most contexts. The phrase 'get laid' is considered coarse slang in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent. The phrasal verb 'laid off' (made redundant) is slightly more common in American business contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + laid + Direct Object (+ Prepositional Phrase)Subject + laid + Direct Object + Adjective/Adverb (e.g., laid bare)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “laid to rest”
- “laid bare”
- “laid up”
- “get laid”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The report laid out the strategy for the next quarter.' 'Several workers were laid off.'
Academic
'The researcher laid the foundation for future studies.'
Everyday
'She laid the book on the table.' 'We've just had a new carpet laid.'
Technical
'The bricklayer laid the final course of bricks.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He laid the proposal before the committee.
- They've just laid a new patio.
American English
- She laid the blame squarely on him.
- The company laid off 100 employees.
adjective
British English
- The laid-back atmosphere was lovely.
- A newly laid lawn.
American English
- His laid-back attitude sometimes worries his boss.
- The laid carpet looked great.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I laid my keys on the kitchen counter.
- The hen laid an egg.
- He laid the map out on the hood of the car.
- The rules were clearly laid down in the contract.
- The investigation laid bare several systemic failures.
- She carefully laid the groundwork for the negotiation.
- The arguments laid out in the thesis are compelling.
- The economic crisis laid waste to the region's industry.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Chickens lay eggs (they lay/laid them). You lay/laid an object down. Remember: You lay something down. It lies down by itself.
Conceptual Metaphor
ESTABLISHING IS LAYING A FOUNDATION (e.g., laid the groundwork); REVEALING IS LAYING SOMETHING FLAT (e.g., laid bare); COMPLETION/CESSATION IS LAYING TO REST.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'to lie' (лгать). The past tense of 'to lie' (лгать) is 'lied'. The major trap is the 'lay/lie' confusion, which doesn't exist the same way in Russian. 'Laid' is always transitive.
Common Mistakes
- *He laid on the bed all day. (Incorrect if 'he' is the subject resting; correct: He lay on the bed.)
- *The documents were laying on the desk. (Incorrect; correct: were lying or were laid).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'laid' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Laid' is the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'to lay' (meaning to put something down). The past tense of the intransitive verb 'to lie' (meaning to recline) is 'lay'.
'Laid off' typically implies job loss due to company reasons (redundancy, downsizing), not individual performance. 'Fired' implies termination due to cause (poor performance, misconduct).
It is considered vulgar slang and is inappropriate in formal, polite, or professional contexts.
It's a metaphorical phrase meaning to reveal or expose something fully, often something hidden or unpleasant. E.g., 'The audit laid bare the corruption within the department.'