What does unlaid mean?
Unlaid is an English adjective meaning “not laid.” Its best-known use is for an egg that has not yet been laid: an unlaid egg remains inside a bird rather than being present in a nest. The word can also describe something that has not been put down, placed, or installed, as in “the paving slabs remained unlaid,” although this use is less common and often more literary. Its meaning is immediately understandable from the transparent combination of the negative prefix un- and the word laid. Although unlaid is not especially rare, it can be useful because it expresses a specific physical situation more directly than a longer phrase such as “not yet laid.” In descriptions of birds, nesting, or eggs, it provides a concise and vivid alternative to more explicit wording.
adjectiveNot laid or put down; especially, not yet laid as an egg.
- Not yet laid, especially of an egg.
"The hen sat patiently on the unlaid egg while the farmer watched from a distance."
"The hen carefully guarded her unlaid egg."
"The gardener left the paving slabs unlaid until the measurements were confirmed."
An unlaid egg is literally waiting for its moment to become breakfast.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unlaid come from?
Unlaid is formed in English with the negative prefix un- and the past participle laid, so its literal structure is “not laid.” Laid is the modern English past participle of lay, an Old English verb meaning to put or place something down.
How unlaid is actually used
The word is most commonly used literally of an egg that has not yet been laid. It can also mean not laid down, placed, or installed, a use that is more literary or descriptive.
Easily confused with unlaid
Unlaid means not laid, placed, or yet produced as an egg, whereas unpaid means not paid.