# laid

/ˈɫeɪd/ (US) · /lˈeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/laid
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to put something down

verb · CEFR A2

the past tense of 'lay'; you use it when you put something down carefully in a flat position.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to rest or stay

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal · Dialect

the past tense of 'lie' in casual speech; it means you were resting in a flat position.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. type of paper

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of high-quality paper that has thin lines on it from the way it was made.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She laid the book on the table and walked away.
- The workers laid the new carpet in the living room yesterday morning.
- After the foundation was poured, the masonry team laid the bricks with such precision that no further adjustments were required for the structural alignment.

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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.