noun
lay
An act of sexual intercourse, in vulgar slang.
He says he wants a quick lay, not a relationship.
Etymology
The sexual noun develops from lay, to place someone or something down. Slang applied that physical verb to intercourse and then used it as a noun for the act.
More examples
- She describes the encounter as nothing more than a casual lay.
- One lay does not mean they are a couple.
- He crudely refers to his partner as a good lay.
Forms
lay · lays
Similar words
- sex
- Sex is less vulgar and covers sexual activity more broadly.
- intercourse
- Intercourse names the act in a neutral, more formal way.