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layaway

American  
[lay-uh-way] / ˈleɪ əˌweɪ /

noun

  • layaways
    plural
  1. layaway plan.

  2. an article or item purchased through a layaway plan.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of layaway

First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase lay away


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.

See Examples For:

Many rarely request layaway and seldom need a loan.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

“It’s a new evolution of a layaway kind of thing,” Murray said.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 4, 2025

What the neighborhood didn’t know was that my dad only had enough money to buy the track jacket – the matching track pants and shell-toe Adidas shoes were still on layaway.

From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2024

The festival, which was aptly announced on Valentine’s Day, didn’t tout much else beyond the lineup and the layaway plan with a $19.99 down payment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 14, 2024

“We’ll buy everything on layaway, child,” she said excitedly.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

“I have paid for all of your layaways for Christmas,” Perry said smiling.

From Fox News ● Dec. 7, 2018

Did Carole’s family pay off the dead girl’s Christmas gifts in department store layaways?

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

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