lay out

phrasal verb

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	lay out
he/she/it	lays out
present participle	laying out
past tense	laid out
past participle	laid out

1
transitive to spread something out, or to arrange things so you can see them easily
A display of local history material was laid out on the table.
She opened her suitcase and laid her clothes out on the bed.
Synonyms and related words
To put things together or in a particular order
prepend
sort
arrange
2
transitive informalto spend an amount of money
lay out something for something:
They had already laid out a substantial amount for the wedding.
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay
3
transitive to arrange something according to a detailed plan, for example rooms in a building, roads in a town, or areas on a piece of land
The city was laid out with the capitol on a hill in its center.
The brochure is beautifully laid out and illustrated.
Synonyms and related words
Architecture and building design
architectural
architecture
blueprint
4
transitive to explain something carefully and clearly
The documents lay out the principles clearly enough.
Synonyms and related words
To make something easier to understand
explain
define
put across
5
transitive to prepare a dead body so that people can come to see it before it is buried
Synonyms and related words
Funerals and burial
a letter/message/book of condolence
ashes
bier
6
transitive informalto hit someone so hard that they fall to the ground and become unconscious
Joe laid Ken out with one punch.
Synonyms and related words
To knock someone down by hitting them
knock
strike down
knock down
7
intransitive Americaninformalto lie outside in the sun, so that your skin becomes darker. This use is considered incorrect by many people.
Synonyms and related words
Sun tanning
bask
burn
catch/bag some rays