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Definition of waylay

waylay

/weɪˈleɪ/
way · lay
Past Simple:waylaid
•
Past Participle:waylaid
•
Present Participle:waylaying
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waylay Lexical Profile

waylay Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To stop or interrupt someone and detain them in conversation or trouble them in some other way.

Example

"The professor was waylaid in the hallway by several students asking questions about the upcoming exam."

2

To lie in wait for and attack or rob someone from a place of hiding.

Example

"In medieval times, merchants traveling through dense forests feared being waylaid by highwaymen."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

The past tense and past participle of "waylay" is "waylaid" (not "waylayed"), following the same conjugation pattern as "lay" rather than "lie".

• Rhymes for waylay

• Nearby Words

waycross
wayfarer
wayfaring
waylay
wayne
waynesboro
waypoint

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 16th century as a compound of "way" and "lay", modeled on Middle Low German "wegelagen", meaning to set a trap along a road.

Cite this Entry

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