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“Lain” or “Lane”

lain / lane are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

lain l·EY·n

  • verbbe located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position.
  • verbbe lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position.
  • verbbe and remain in a particular state or condition.
  • verbtell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive.
  • verbhave a place in relation to something else.

lane l·EY·n

  • nouna narrow way or road.
  • nouna well-defined track or path; for e.g. swimmers or lines of traffic.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“lain”

  • …Rheingold, which must long have lain latent within me, though it…
  • He had lain dormant until hearing that his…
  • …bodies showed evidence of having lain out exposed to weather and…

“lane”

  • …that a trip "south to Lane County" was as good as…
  • David Christopher Lane – lately Vice-President, Professional Association…
  • …more than 8m wide (double lane) there were very few vessels…
  • …against Spurs at White Hart Lane.
  • …cost was approximately $90,000 per lane.
  • …was relocated to Govinda Bose Lane (its current location).
  • …is played on an inclined lane and the player aims to…
  • …of the former St. Michael's Lane: the ghostly presence of St.…
  • …ramps (up to ), triple lane lower deck and two lane…
  • …Kent/Superman, Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane, Lane Smith as Perry White,…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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