1 B1 neutral
To arrange objects flat on a surface in an organised or visible way.
"She laid out all the documents on the table before the meeting started."
separable
lay out
B1 neutral separable transitive
To arrange or display things in an organised way, to explain something clearly, or to knock someone unconscious.
In plain English
Spread things out neatly so you can see them, or explain something step by step.
What does "lay out" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To explain or present information clearly and in an organised manner.
"The report lays out the government's strategy for reducing carbon emissions."
“
Let me lay out for the American people what we propose.
— Barack Obama, address to Congress, February 2009
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To spend a large sum of money.
"They laid out a fortune on the wedding decorations."
separable
4 B2 idiomatic informal
To knock someone unconscious with a blow.
"One punch was enough to lay his opponent out flat."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To lay (place) things out flat so they are visible and accessible.
Actually means
Spread things out neatly so you can see them, or explain something step by step.
Usage tip
Very versatile phrasal verb. The 'arrange' and 'explain' senses are the most common and neutral. The 'spend money' sense is informal American English. The 'knock unconscious' sense is informal. 'Layout' (noun) comes from this verb and refers to the arrangement or design of something.
Words that pair with "lay out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
plan design argument options clothes tools
How to conjugate "lay out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lay out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lays out
he/she/it
Past simple
laid out
yesterday
Past participle
laid out
have + pp
-ing form
laying out
continuous
Hear "lay out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lay out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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