1 B2 neutral
To save money by putting it aside regularly for future needs.
"She laid by a little from each pay cheque to cover Christmas expenses."
separable
lay by
B2 neutral separable transitive
To save or put money aside for future use; (British retail) to reserve goods in a shop while paying in instalments; also a noun: a roadside parking area.
In plain English
To save something (usually money) for later; or in British shops, to ask them to keep something for you while you pay for it slowly.
What does "lay by" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
(British/Australian retail) To reserve goods in a shop, paying for them in stages before collecting them.
"I've got the coat on lay-by at the boutique — I'm paying it off over the next two months."
separable
3 B2 neutral
(Of a ship or vehicle) to stop and remain stationary in a designated area.
"The lorry driver pulled in to a lay-by for a rest before continuing the journey."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place something 'by' (to the side) — keeping it nearby but not in immediate use.
Actually means
To save something (usually money) for later; or in British shops, to ask them to keep something for you while you pay for it slowly.
Usage tip
In Australian and British English, 'layby' (one word or hyphenated) is the retail equivalent of the American 'layaway'. As a road noun, a 'lay-by' is a paved area at the side of a British road where vehicles can stop temporarily. Both the noun and verb forms are in common use in British English.
Words that pair with "lay by"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money savings goods road goods store instalments
How to conjugate "lay by"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lay by
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lays by
he/she/it
Past simple
laid by
yesterday
Past participle
laid by
have + pp
-ing form
laying by
continuous
Hear "lay by" in the wild
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Other ways to say "lay by"
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