layaway

Name: layaway, English Word Data
Creator: Wiktionary
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

noun

By PlainSpell Editorial Team · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) · analyzed May 6, 2026

The verdict

“layaway” is an uncommon English word, ranked #70,827 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#70,827
frequency rank, English: 7
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A pit in which hides are stored.

Key facts for layaway
Property	Value
Headword	layaway
Language	English
Part of speech	Noun
Letters	7
Frequency rank	#70,827
Misspellings tracked	0
Confusable pairs	0
Source	Wiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “layaway” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). layaway lands here:

#70,827

#1#100#1K#10K#100K

← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for layaway is 7 letters long, classified as a noun. Corpus data places it at rank #70,827 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 3 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for layaway, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: Deverbal from lay away. The truly solidified verb (as contrasted with the merely misspelled one) is back-formed from the noun but is nonstandard. The correct English form is layaway, spelled L-A-Y-A-W-A-Y.

Definition

1
A pit in which hides are stored.
2
The system of accepting a deposit and holding for a customer to complete purchase.
3
An item which has been held in this way.

Etymology

Deverbal from lay away. The truly solidified verb (as contrasted with the merely misspelled one) is back-formed from the noun but is nonstandard.

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "layaway"?

"layaway" is spelled L-A-Y-A-W-A-Y.

What does "layaway" mean?

As a noun, "layaway" means: A pit in which hides are stored.

What is the origin of the word "layaway"?

Deverbal from lay away. The truly solidified verb (as contrasted with the merely misspelled one) is back-formed from the noun but is nonstandard. See the full etymology section above for more details.

Is PlainSpell free to use?

Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “layaway”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

The one correct English spelling is L-A-Y-A-W-A-Y - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.