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“Lie” or “Lye”

lie / lye 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.

lie l·AY

  • nouna statement that deviates from or perverts the truth.
  • nounNorwegian diplomat who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations (1896-1968).
  • nounposition or manner in which something is situated.
  • 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.

lye l·AY

  • nouna strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Usage

Examples in context

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

“lie”

  • …Phanom Rung and Phimai, which lie on the so-called Ancient Khmer…
  • …so that De’Londa could not lie to him about what happened.
  • The hind legs should lie parallel to the rump and…
  • …court room, so she wouldn't lie and say she committed murder…
  • …like extended maceration and sur lie aging).
  • …that roots of Romani language lie in India: the language has…
  • …and other nearby groups all lie within the Virgo Supercluster (i.e.
  • In 1937, Electric 'overblankets which lie on top of the sleeping…
  • Naked Lie [TV] (1989)
  • …the Black Tom neighbourhoods all lie within the boundaries of Harpur

“lye”

  • Lye, Indre
  • Lye Brook Wilderness
  • David Martin Lye - Senior Constable, New Zealand
  • Lye is a commune in the…
  • Approximately 80% of Lye Brook Wilderness is forested with…
  • The Lye Brook Wilderness consists of northwest…
  • …Deren, Jonas Mekas and Len Lye, she argues Aymes had in…
  • Map of Lye and its environment
  • The Lye Brook Wilderness is one of…
  • …form of either sodium hydroxide (lye) or sodium chloride (table salt).

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

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