The difference between Den and Lair

When used as nouns, den means a small cavern or hollow place in the side of a hill, or among rocks, whereas lair means a place inhabited by a wild animal, often a cave or a hole in the ground.

When used as verbs, den means to ensconce or hide oneself in (or as in) a den, whereas lair means to rest.


Den is also abbreviation with the meaning: (a unit of weight).

check bellow for the other definitions of Den and Lair

  1. Den as a noun:

    A small cavern or hollow place in the side of a hill, or among rocks; especially, a cave used by a wild animal for shelter or concealment.

    Examples:

    "a den of robbers"

    "Daniel was put into the lions’ den."

  2. Den as a noun:

    A squalid or wretched place; a haunt.

    Examples:

    "a den of vice"

    "an opium den; a gambling den"

  3. Den as a noun:

    A comfortable room not used for formal entertaining.

  4. Den as a noun (UK, Scotland, obsolete):

    A narrow glen; a ravine; a dell.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Shakespeare"

  1. Den as a verb (reflexive):

    To ensconce or hide oneself in (or as in) a den.

  1. Den as an adverb:

  1. Lair as a noun:

    A place inhabited by a wild animal, often a cave or a hole in the ground.

  2. Lair as a noun:

    A shed or shelter for domestic animals.

  3. Lair as a noun (figuratively):

    A place inhabited by a criminal or criminals, a superhero or a supervillain; a refuge, retreat, haven or hideaway.

  4. Lair as a noun (British, _, dialectal):

    A bed or resting place.

  5. Lair as a noun (Scotland):

    A grave; a cemetery plot.

  1. Lair as a verb (Britain):

    To rest; to dwell.

  2. Lair as a verb (Britain):

    To lay down.

  3. Lair as a verb (Britain):

    To bury.

  1. Lair as a noun (Scotland):

    A bog; a mire.

  1. Lair as a verb (transitive, Scotland):

    To mire.

  2. Lair as a verb (intransitive, Scotland):

    To become mired.

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