Pronunciation

/laɪ/

Definitions

• Noun (n):

  • A false statement or action deliberately presented as true; an intentional untruth. Example: “The politician was caught in a web of lies.”
  • The act of lying down or being situated in a horizontal position. Example: “He took a rest on the grassy lie under the tree.”
  • (in golf) The position of the ball after it has come to rest on the ground. Example: “His shot left him with a difficult lie on the rough.”

• Verb (v):

  • To intentionally not tell the truth; to deceive. Example: “She lied about her age to get the job.”
  • To be or remain in a horizontal or resting position, either on a surface or the ground. Example: “The cat likes to lie in the sun.”
  • (archaic or dialectal) To lay (something down). Example: “He lied his coat on the bed.”

Phrases

• “Lie detector”: An instrument that measures physiological responses to determine if someone is telling the truth.
• “Lie low”: To stay out of sight or avoid drawing attention, often until danger or trouble passes.
• “Lie awake”: To stay in bed without sleeping, usually due to worry or anxiety.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The child’s story was a tissue of lies.”
• Verb: “He promised never to lie to her again.”
• (Alternative verb usage): “He likes to lie on the beach during his vacation.”

Synonyms

• Falsehood (noun)
• Deceive (verb)
• Fib
• Fabricate
• Mislead
• Untruth
• Rest (for the ‘to be in a horizontal position’ sense)
• Lay (archaic/dialectal use)

Note: The verb form ‘lie’ can also mean ‘lay’ in certain contexts (i.e., when referring to placing oneself in a horizontal position), but this usage is less common and sometimes considered archaic or regional. It contrasts with the regular verb ‘lay,’ which requires an object ("lay the book down").