lay out
/ˌleɪ ˈaʊt/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.63 in modern English
9
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
1
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To arrange (physically) in a certain way, so as to spread or space apart; to display (e.g. merchandise or a collection).
Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "She laid out hundreds of dollars to throw a great party."
- "[…] you must endeavour to take off your Mistress from all the care you can, giving to her a just and true account of what moneys you lay out for her, shewing your self thrifty in all your disbursements."
- "There are but two ways of paying debt: increase of industry in raising income, increase of thrift in laying it out."
- "She laid the blocks out in a circle on the floor."
- "She laid out a terrific spread for the party."
- "Crossing stations on single lines are laid out so that one line has a straight run through, and is signalled in each direction, avoiding the need to slow down to take the turnout into the loop."
Etymology
From lay + out.
Usage
- Transitive verb
- American usage
- Colloquial
- Intransitive verb