# Lai

/ˈɫaɪ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lai
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a short poem or song from the Middle Ages that tells a story about love or adventure. These were popular in France and England hundreds of years ago.

For teachers: a short narrative or lyrical poem, typically in octosyllabic couplets, popular in medieval French and English literature. Often associated with the Breton tradition of romantic or supernatural storytelling.

## Examples

- The poet sang a beautiful lai about a brave knight.
- Scholars often study the Breton lai to understand how medieval writers blended folk magic with courtly romance.
- The manuscript contains several anonymous examples of the lai, each demonstrating the characteristic brevity and emotional intensity that distinguished the form from longer contemporary romances.

## Usage notes

- Often appears in the specific phrase 'Breton lai' when referring to the Celtic-inspired literary tradition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.