layup

/ˈleɪˌʌp/

//ˈleɪˌʌp// noun

"layup" is a 5-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“layup” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #31,634 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#31,634
frequency rank, English
5
letters
7
tracked misspellings
10
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A close-range shot in which the shooter banks the ball off the backboard from a few feet away.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

layup vs lay
60% similar
layup vs lap
60% similar
layup vs Lau
40% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for layup
PropertyValue
Headwordlayup
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈleɪˌʌp/
Letters5
Frequency rank#31,634
Misspellings tracked7
Confusable pairs10
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “layup” 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). layup lands here:

#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 layup is 5 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈleɪˌʌp/. Corpus data places it at rank #31,634 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 6 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 7 likely wrong-spelling variants for layup, with forms such as "alyup", "lauyp", and "laypu". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 10 confusable-pair relationships, "lay", "lap", "Lau", and more, where similar look or sound leads writers to substitute one word for another in context.

Etymologically, the entry records: From lay + up. The correct English form is layup, spelled L-A-Y-U-P.

Definition

  1. 1
    A close-range shot in which the shooter banks the ball off the backboard from a few feet away.
  2. 2
    A relatively easy task.
  3. 3
    The state of being laid up.
  4. 4
    A track used to store train cars.
  5. 5
    A train car sitting in storage (laid up), often overnight.
  6. 6
    The process of applying alternate layers of a material and a binding agent to form a composite material.

Etymology

From lay + up.

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: alyup,lauyp,laypu,layupp,layyup,llayup,lyaup

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of layup - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

alyup2lauyp2laypu2layupp1layyup1llayup1lyaup2
Edit distance from "layup"

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 "layup"?
"layup" is spelled L-A-Y-U-P. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈleɪˌʌp/.
What does "layup" mean?
As a noun, "layup" means: A close-range shot in which the shooter banks the ball off the backboard from a few feet away.
What words are commonly confused with "layup"?
"layup" is commonly confused with "lay", "lap", "Lau". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "layup"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "layup" is /ˈleɪˌʌp/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "layup"?
From lay + up. 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 “layup”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is L-A-Y-U-P - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈleɪˌʌp/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “lay” - see the side-by-side comparison. layup vs lay
  • 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.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list