Meaning of lie in English

Table of contents

Verb
lie
Definitions
1. be located or situated somewhere
Examples
- « occupy a certain position »
2. be lying, be prostrate
Examples
- « be in a horizontal position »
- « The sick man lay in bed all day »
- « the books are lying on the shelf »
Antonyms
3. originate (in)
Examples
- « The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country »
4. be and remain in a particular state or condition
Examples
- « lie dormant »
5. tell an untruth
Examples
- « pretend with intent to deceive »
- « Don't lie to your parents »
- « She lied when she told me she was only 29 »
Derived terms
6. have a place in relation to something else
Examples
- « The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West »
- « The responsibility rests with the Allies »
7. assume a reclining position
Examples
- « lie down on the bed until you feel better »
Antonyms
Noun
lie
Etymology
Old English lyge (noun), lēogan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch liegen and German lügen
Definitions
1. a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
Derived terms
2. Norwegian diplomat who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations (1896-1968)
3. position or manner in which something is situated
Derived terms

Famous quotes

« A fact never went into partnership with a miracle. Truth scorns the assistance of wonders. A fact will fit every other fact in the universe, and that is how you can tell whether it is or is not a fact. A lie will not fit anything except another lie. »
Robert Green Ingersoll
« Crime and legal stories, broadly speaking, are just where my interest happens to lie. »
William Landay
« Anyone who tells a lie has not a pure heart, and cannot make a good soup. »
Ludwig van Beethoven
« There's only two people in your life you should lie to... the police and your girlfriend. »
Jack Nicholson
« Art is magic delivered from the lie of being truth. »
Theodor Adorno