lay on
Britishverb
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to provide or supply
to lay on entertainment
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to install
to lay on electricity
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informal
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to exaggerate, esp when flattering
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to charge an exorbitant price
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to punish or strike harshly
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Cover with, apply; also, use. For example, He decided to lay on a second coat of primer , or She laid on a thick Southern accent . [c. 1600] Also see lay it on thick .
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Inflict blows, attack, as in “Lay on, Macduff; and damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'” (Shakespeare, Macbeth, 5:8 ). [Early 1200s]
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Impose or cast something on someone, as in The government laid a tax on landholders , or Dad had a way of laying the guilt for his shortcomings on his partners . This usage is also found in , as in Nancy could always find someone to lay the blame on , or Jerry put the blame on Bill . [1300s]
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.
Several carriages lay on their side, AFP journalists at the scene reported.
From Barron's ● Nov. 8, 2026
John McGinn: Picked off Marc Guehi to lay on the opening goal and created more chances than anyone else on the pitch.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
I lay on my back and stared at a bright blue painted sky, dappled with puffy clouds.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Gray-black feathers lay on the sidewalk and a nearby lawn.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
The domovoi flickered as he lay on the floor, transforming from dog to cat to old man.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
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