allay Definition
al·lay (a lā′, ə-)
transitive verb -·layed′, -·lay′·ing
- to put (fears, etc.) to rest; quiet; calm
- to lessen, relieve, or alleviate (pain, grief, etc.)
Etymology: ME alaien, alleggen, with confusion of form and meaning of OE alecgan (< a-, down + lecgan, to lay) & OFr alegier (<LL alleviare: see alleviate)
allay Related Forms
al·lay′er noun
allay Synonyms
allay
v.
allay Usage Examples
Object
- fear: More also needs to be done to allay parental fears over the risk of injury in rugby matches.
- suspicion: He had to pretend to be drunk in order to allay the suspicions which might have been aroused by his appearance at the gate.
- anxiety: This seems to allay earlier anxieties about the erosion of free speech.
- concern: Q: What has been done to allay the concerns of the OSCE with respect to the Law on NGOs?
- worry: Finally Finally, just to allay any worries you may have over the untimely demise of Britney, she isn't dead.
- doubt: Letter to " Caro Fratello " from Lucy [ Simpson ] attempting to allay any doubts he may have regarding his baronetcy.
Modifying Another Word
- hopefully: The height of the wall has now been increased, hopefully allaying any concerns.
- somewhat: My fears have been somewhat allayed by taking Rosy out on a test cruise.
- quickly: However, my fears were quickly allayed once I began to read.
- soon: All my worries, of course, were soon allayed once I got there.
- not: During Health Questions the Health Secretary did not allay my fears.
- also: The EU must also allay widespread fears about globalization.
Browse dictionary entries near allay
- ‹ allargando
- ‹ allantois
- ‹ allantoid
- ‹ allantoic
- ‹ Allan
- ‹ Allahabad
- ‹ Allah
- ‹ alla breve
- ‹ all told
- ‹ all-time
- allegation ›
- allege ›
- alleged ›
- allegedly ›
- Allegheny ›
- Allegheny Mountains ›
- allegiance ›
- allegorical ›
- allegorist ›
- allegorize ›

