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allay Definition

al·lay (a lā′, ə-)

transitive verb -·layed′, -·lay′·ing

  1. to put (fears, etc.) to rest; quiet; calm
  2. 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.

  1. To lessen

    reduce, relieve, alleviate, moderate; see decrease 2, relieve 2.

  2. To soothe

    mollify, pacify, ease; see quiet 1. See syn. study atrelieve.

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.