Word
laid
US/ˈɫeɪd/
UK/lˈeɪd/
Definitions
01to put something down
A2 · Elementary
v. the past tense of 'lay'; you use it when you put something down carefully in a flat position.
v. the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'lay', meaning to place something in a horizontal position.
“She laid the sleeping baby in the crib and quietly left the room.”
“The workers laid the foundation for the new library during the summer months to avoid the autumn rains.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb form and must be followed by a direct object.
Pitfall
He laid on the bed for an hour.
He lay on the bed for an hour.
In formal English, 'laid' requires an object (you lay something down). If you are resting yourself, the past tense is 'lay'.
Synonyms
02to rest or stay
B1 · Intermediate Informal · Dialect
v. the past tense of 'lie' in casual speech; it means you were resting in a flat position.
v. the past tense of the intransitive verb 'lie', used colloquially or in certain dialects instead of the standard 'lay'.
“I was so tired that I just laid there on the sofa all afternoon.”
“He had laid in wait for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare bird before the sun set.”
Usage
While common in speech, this usage is often corrected to 'lay' in formal writing.
Teaching tip
Learners should be aware that many native speakers use 'laid' for both 'lay' and 'lie', though it is technically incorrect in formal contexts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03type of paper
C2 · Proficiency Technical
adj. a type of high-quality paper that has thin lines on it from the way it was made.
adj. referring to paper characterized by a ribbed texture of parallel lines produced by the wires of the mould during manufacture.
“The wedding invitations were printed on expensive laid paper.”
“The historian identified the document's origin by examining the watermarks and the distinct texture of the laid paper.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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