Meaning & use

lying

verb·Everyday

Saying something untrue with the intention of deceiving someone.

See it in a sentence

He got caught lying about where he had spent the entire weekend.

She hates lying, even about small things, and always tells the truth.

A note on using this word

This "lying" (from "lie," to say false things) is spelled like "lying" from "lie," to recline, but the verbs have different past tenses: "lied" versus "lay."

Words with a similar meaning

fibbingdeceivingfabricating

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

Being in or moving into a flat, horizontal resting position.

The cat was lying in a warm patch of afternoon sunlight.

Make it your own

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