MEANING
To stop or attack someone unexpectedly while they are traveling or going somewhere.
Use it for
A route turned into a trap; an attacker intercepting escape; unexpected obstruction by a personMake the victim's interrupted destination clear.
Words that belong together
- waylay a traveler
- waylaid on the road
- waylay at the exit
On the page
They were waylaid on the path to the checkpoint.
The creature waylaid each worker who went alone.
He tried to waylay her at the exit, but she kept moving.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- waylay / waylays
- Past tense
- waylaid
- Past participle
- waylaid
- Present participle
- waylaying
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- waylay / waylays
- Present continuous
- am/is/are waylaying
- Present perfect
- have/has waylaid
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been waylaying
- Past
- waylaid
- Past continuous
- was/were waylaying
- Past perfect
- had waylaid
- Past perfect continuous
- had been waylaying
- Future
- will waylay / waylays
- Future continuous
- will be waylaying
- Future perfect
- will have waylaid
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been waylaying
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: horror. Often suggests interception along a route; not necessarily concealment. Also used less violently for detaining someone to talk. Verb [base, third-person present, past, past participle, -ing]: waylay, waylays, waylaid, waylaid, waylaying.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.