lying
1 Americannoun
adjective
verb
verb
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of lying
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; see origin at lie 1, -ing 1, -ing 2
Explanation
If you engage in lying, you're fabricating, prevaricating, or speaking falsely. You are deliberately deviating from the truth. If lying is the act of telling a lie, then "lying through your teeth" is the act of telling a bold lie, even if you know your listener will immediately know you're lying. Descended from a line in a Marx Brothers film, "Who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?" is spoken (ironically) by someone who's been caught lying and, instead of admitting it, says the evidence is wrong, as well as the person who's looking right at it.
Vocabulary lists containing lying
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After calling the vest-adorned dog on stage and joking that she would bite Clark, he bellowed, “Is she lying, too?”
From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026
Speaking to the BBC in 2024, Scolyer said he refused to take his shock diagnosis lying down.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
And change doesn’t need to be taken lying down.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
According to Platner, Fifield is lying on all counts.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
Gabi and William are sitting on the bench in the front garden, Basil’s lying on the ground in between them.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
