Idled without purpose
To lay around is to spend time idly, doing little or nothing: We just laid around the house all weekend.
The phrase suggests relaxed inactivity rather than purposeful rest.
Strictly speaking, the correct form is *lie around*, but *lay around* dominates casual speech and writing.
IDEA.org / Words / lay around
Idled without purpose
To lay around is to spend time idly, doing little or nothing: We just laid around the house all weekend.
The phrase suggests relaxed inactivity rather than purposeful rest.
Strictly speaking, the correct form is *lie around*, but *lay around* dominates casual speech and writing.
1. laziness — loaf, Baked bread shape; laze (Pass time idly); lounge (Comfortable waiting room); idle (Without activity or purpose); vegetate · slouch · lollygag · bum · dawdle · procrastinate · loiter · mooch · potter · shirk
2. relaxation — rest, Cessation of activity; unwind (Release accumulated tension); chill (Cold sensation or relaxation); nap (Brief daytime rest); repose · take it easy · kick back · decompress · siesta · downtime · break · respite · leisure · free time
ACTIVITY LEVELlay around ≠ hustle Energetic, aggressive action; scurry · run around · hurry · keep moving · work hard
PURPOSEFULNESSlay around ≠ work Effort toward a goal; get things done · work hard · hustle · buckle down · toil
lay, around, lays, laying, laid, layer, layers, layered, inlay
Word data: Linguabase (CC0) · www.idea.org/words/lay_around