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Lair: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿฆก
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lair

 

[leษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

animal habitat

A lair is a den or shelter used by a wild animal.

Synonyms

burrow, den, shelter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lair

Used to describe a secret or secluded hiding place, often with a negative or sinister connotation. It is commonly associated with villains or wild animals.

  • The villain's lair was hidden deep within the forest.
  • The adventurers discovered the dragon's lair inside the cave.
den

Describes the living space of wild animals, typically larger predators like lions, wolves, and bears. It can also refer to a cozy, private room in a house.

  • The wolf returned to its den after a successful hunt.
  • He retreated to his den to read a book and relax.
shelter

A broad term for a place that offers protection and security from the elements or danger. It can refer to natural shelters like caves or man-made ones like houses and emergency shelters.

  • We found shelter from the storm under a rock overhang.
  • The charity provides shelter for homeless families.
burrow

Refers to a hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, such as a rabbit or mole. It describes a natural underground home for these creatures.

  • The rabbit disappeared quickly into its burrow.
  • Field mice often make their burrows under the roots of trees.

Examples of usage

  • The bear made a lair in the cave.
  • The wolf's lair was hidden deep in the forest.
Context #2 | Noun

criminal hideout

A lair can also refer to a secret base or hideout used by criminals or villains.

Synonyms

base, hideout, lodge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lair

Used to describe a secret or hidden place, often associated with wild animals, villains, or evil characters.

  • The villain retreated to his dark lair to plot his next move.
  • The lion dragged its prey into its lair deep in the jungle.
hideout

Usually describes a secret place where someone can hide, often used for fugitives or people avoiding detection. This can have a somewhat negative connotation.

  • The thieves were finally tracked down to their hideout.
  • They used the cabin in the woods as a hideout while on the run.
base

Typically refers to a central place of operations for an organization, especially military or business contexts.

  • The troops returned to their base after the mission.
  • The companyโ€™s main base of operations is in New York.
lodge

Refers to a small house or cabin, often in a rural or forested area, typically used for holidays or by members of a hunting club.

  • We stayed in a cozy mountain lodge for the weekend.
  • The hunters gathered at the lodge before setting out.

Examples of usage

  • The thieves planned their heist in a hidden lair.
  • The supervillain's lair was equipped with high-tech gadgets.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word traces back to Old English 'leah,' which means a clearing in the woods used for a home.
  • In various languages, similar words imply shelter or hiding places, linking to the original sense of safety.

Literature

  • Lairs are often depicted in stories as dark and mysterious places, like dragon caves in fantasy novels.
  • In children's stories, characters might venture into a monster's lair, highlighting bravery and adventure.

Mythology

  • In many myths, lairs are where legendary creatures, such as trolls and beasts, guard treasures or beloved items.
  • Folklore often describes heroes entering a lair to confront evil, emphasizing the lair's role as a challenge.

Wildlife

  • Many wild animals, like foxes and bears, use dens or lairs for shelter during harsh weather or for raising young.
  • Some predators utilize lairs to ambush prey, showcasing clever survival strategies in nature.

Pop Culture

  • In video games, characters often have lairs as bases for operations, such as villains in superhero stories.
  • Movies and cartoons frequently portray lairs as hidden spaces where the antagonists plot their schemes.

Translations

Translations of the word "lair" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น covil

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เฅเคซเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Versteck

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sarang

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปั–ะณะฒะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kryjรณwka

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้š ใ‚Œๅฎถ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท repaire

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ guarida

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ini

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์€์‹ ์ฒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูˆูƒุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ skrรฝลก

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ skrรฝลกa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅทข็ฉด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ brlog

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hreiรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฑั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒคแƒแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yuva

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ guarida

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,930, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.