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Definition of outlay

outlay

/ˈaʊt.leɪ/
out · lay
Plural:outlays
•
Past Simple:outlaid
•
Past Participle:outlaid
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Present Participle:outlaying
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outlay Lexical Profile

outlay Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An amount of money spent on something, especially as an initial investment or to start a project.

Example

"Solar panels require a substantial initial outlay, but they significantly reduce electricity bills over time."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To spend or disburse a sum of money for a particular purpose or investment.

Example

"The firm is reluctant to outlay millions of dollars on new machinery without a guaranteed contract."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for outlay
Antonyms
View all antonyms for outlay

• Nearby Words

outlandishness
outlast
outlaw
outlay
outlet
outlier
outline

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century as a compound of the adverb 'out' and the verb 'lay', modeled on the phrasal verb 'lay out' in the sense of spending or disbursing money.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Outlay. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/outlay
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