lied: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Formal. The form is standard. The act of lying is discussed across registers, though formal contexts may prefer synonyms like 'misled' or 'fabricated'.
Quick answer
What does “lied” mean?
Told an untruth with the intention to deceive.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Told an untruth with the intention to deceive; past tense and past participle of 'lie'.
Primarily the simple past and past participle of the verb 'lie' (to speak falsely). It is also used as a noun in German art song (plural: Lieder), but this is a separate, borrowed term not relevant to the English verb form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the usage of the verb form 'lied'. Both varieties use it identically as the past tense of 'lie'. The noun 'lied' (song) is equally rare and technical in both.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, implying deliberate dishonesty.
Frequency
Equal frequency. The confusion with 'lay/laid' is common to all English learners, not specific to a variety.
Grammar
How to Use “lied” in a Sentence
S V (lied)S V O (lied about the money)S V PP (lied to the teacher)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lied” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He lied to the committee about his prior convictions.
- She realised her son had lied about finishing his homework.
American English
- The CEO lied to investors about the company's financial health.
- I knew you lied about your age on the application.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Serious misconduct; e.g., 'He lied on his CV about his qualifications.'
Academic
Discussed in ethics, psychology, or linguistics; e.g., 'The participant lied in the self-report questionnaire.'
Everyday
Common in personal contexts; e.g., 'I knew she had lied about where she was.'
Technical
In law: 'The witness lied under oath.' In computing/security contexts regarding false data.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lied”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lied”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lied”
- Using 'lied' as the past tense of 'lie' (to recline) – e.g., *'He lied on the bed yesterday.' (Correct: 'He lay on the bed.')
- Using 'layed' – this is non-standard for any meaning.
- Confusing 'lied' (to someone) with 'laid' (put something down).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern English, 'lied' is exclusively the past tense and past participle of the verb 'lie' meaning to tell a lie. For the verb 'lie' meaning to recline, the past tense is 'lay'.
'Layed' is a common non-standard error. The correct past tense of 'lie' (recline) is 'lay'. The correct past tense of 'lie' (tell falsehood) is 'lied'. 'Laid' is the past tense of 'lay' (to put something down).
No, 'lied' is not used as an adjective in standard English. You might use 'lying' as a participial adjective (e.g., 'a lying witness').
The correct prepositional phrase is 'lied to [someone]'. 'Lied at' is non-standard and not used.
Told an untruth with the intention to deceive.
Lied is usually neutral to formal. the form is standard. the act of lying is discussed across registers, though formal contexts may prefer synonyms like 'misled' or 'fabricated'. in register.
Lied: in British English it is pronounced /laɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /laɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lied through his teeth”
- “caught in a lie”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I'd' never lie to you. It sounds like 'I'd' but it's 'lied' – what you did when you weren't truthful.
Conceptual Metaphor
LYING IS A PATH (He went down a path of lies), LYING IS A BURDEN (The lie weighed on him).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'lied' correctly?