flay Meaning & Definition
What Does Flay Mean?
Flay is a verb that means To cause to fly; put to flight; drive off (by frightening). It can also mean To frighten; scare; terrify. As a noun, it means A fright; a scare. As a noun, it means Fear; a source of fear; a formidable matter; a fearsome or repellent-looking individual.
Word Facts for Flay
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /fleɪ/ |
| Synonyms | fleece, flense and skin |
| Plural | flays |
| Verb forms | flays, flaying, flayed |
Flay Definition (Verb)
- To cause to fly; put to flight; drive off (by frightening).
- To frighten; scare; terrify.
- To be fear-stricken.
Flay as a Noun
- A fright; a scare.
- Fear; a source of fear; a formidable matter; a fearsome or repellent-looking person.
Verb
- To strip the skin off; to skin.
- To lash or whip.
Noun
- Fear; a source of fear; a formidable matter; a fearsome or repellent-looking individual.
Verb
- To strip skin off
- To lash
Synonyms of Flay
Flay synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
flay (third-person singular simple present flays, present participle flaying, simple past and past participle flayed)
flay (plural flays)
flay (third-person singular simple present flays, present participle flaying, simple past flayed or (archaic) flaid or (obsolete) flew, past participle flayed or (archaic) flaid or (obsolete) flew or (archaic) flain)
Words That Rhyme With Flay
Origin of Flay
Origin 1: From Middle English flayen, flaien, fleien, from Old English flīeġan ("to cause to fly, put to flight, frighten"), from Proto-Germanic *flaugijaną (“to let fly, cause to fly”), causative of Proto-Germanic *fleuganą (“to fly”). [2]
Origin 2: From Middle English flen, from Old English flēan, from Proto-West Germanic *flahan, from Proto-Germanic *flahaną.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flay
Is flay a verb or a noun?
Flay is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for flay?
Words with a similar meaning to flay include fleece, flense and skin. See the full list of flay synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of flay?
The plural of flay is flays.
What is the past tense of flay?
The past tense of flay is flayed. The present participle is flaying.