How Do You Spell LAIR?

Pronunciation: [lˈe͡ə] (IPA)

The word "lair" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation can be a bit tricky. The IPA phonetic transcription for "lair" is /lɛər/. The symbol "ɛ" represents the "e" sound in "bet" and the "ə" symbol represents the "uh" sound in "sofa". Therefore, the word "lair" has two syllables: "lay-uh". It means a wild animal's den or resting place, and it's important to spell it correctly to clearly communicate one's thoughts in written form.

LAIR Meaning and Definition

  1. A lair is a noun that refers to a hiding place or a den used by a wild animal or, in a metaphorical sense, by a person or group who wants to remain hidden or secretive. The term is predominantly associated with animals, particularly predatory ones like wolves, bears, or big cats, but can also extend to reptiles or other creatures. A lair serves as a refuge or shelter for these animals where they retreat to rest, sleep, give birth, or protect themselves from threats. It is typically found in natural surroundings such as caves, hollow tree trunks, rock formations, or underground burrows.

    Beyond the animal kingdom, in a metaphorical context, a lair can denote a hideout, concealed residence, or a secretive meeting place for humans. This use is often associated with criminal activities, espionage, or clandestine operations. The term implies a place intentionally chosen for its obscurity or seclusion to avoid detection or discovery. It can be physical, like an abandoned building or an isolated house, or figurative, referring to a group or organization operating covertly. In literature or folklore, the concept of a lair is occasionally employed to symbolize the dark and eerie domain of evil beings or supernatural creatures.

    Overall, a lair serves as a habitat for animals to seek refuge or as a metaphorical term for concealed locations linked to shady or secretive human activities.

  2. The resting-place or couch of a wild beast.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for LAIR *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for LAIR

Etymology of LAIR

The word "lair" originated from the Old English word "leger" or "leġer", which meant a place to lie or a bed. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic root word "leg-" which also meant to lie or lay down, and is related to words such as "lay", "lie", and "ledge". Over time, the meaning of "leger" evolved to refer specifically to a resting or dwelling place for animals, particularly those that hibernate or seek shelter, and eventually came to be known as a "lair".

Idioms with the word LAIR

  • beard the lion in his den (or lair) to confront a formidable opponent or danger on their own territory or terms

Similar spelling words for LAIR

Plural form of LAIR is LAIRS

Conjugate verb Lair

CONDITIONAL

I would lair
you would lair
he/she/it would lair
we would lair
they would lair

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be lairing
you would be lairing
he/she/it would be lairing
we would be lairing
they would be lairing

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have lair
you would have lair
he/she/it would have lair
we would have lair
they would have lair

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been lairing
you would have been lairing
he/she/it would have been lairing
we would have been lairing
they would have been lairing

FUTURE

I will lair
you will lair
he/she/it will lair
we will lair
they will lair

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be lairing
you will be lairing
he/she/it will be lairing
we will be lairing
they will be lairing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have laired
you will have laired
he/she/it will have laired
we will have laired
they will have laired

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been lairing
you will have been lairing
he/she/it will have been lairing
we will have been lairing
they will have been lairing

IMPERATIVE

you lair
we let´s lair

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to lair

PAST

I laired
you laired
he/she/it laired
we laired
they laired

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was lairing
you were lairing
he/she/it was lairing
we were lairing
they were lairing

PAST PARTICIPLE

laired

PAST PERFECT

I had laired
you had laired
he/she/it had laired
we had laired
they had laired

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been lairing
you had been lairing
he/she/it had been lairing
we had been lairing
they had been lairing

PRESENT

I lair
you lair
he/she/it lairs
we lair
they lair

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am lairing
you are lairing
he/she/it is lairing
we are lairing
they are lairing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

lairing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have laired
you have laired
he/she/it has laired
we have laired
they have laired

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been lairing
you have been lairing
he/she/it has been lairing
we have been lairing
they have been lairing

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