overlay

1 of 2

verb

over·​lay ˌō-vər-ˈlā How to pronounce overlay (audio)
overlaid ˌō-vər-ˈlād How to pronounce overlay (audio) ; overlaying
Synonyms of overlay

transitive verb

1
a
: to lay or spread over or across : superimpose
b
: to prepare an overlay for
2
: overlie sense 2

overlay

2 of 2

noun

over·​lay ˈō-vər-ˌlā How to pronounce overlay (audio)
: a covering either permanent or temporary: such as
a
: an ornamental veneer
b
: a decorative and contrasting design or article placed on top of a plain one
c
: a transparent sheet containing graphic matter to be superimposed on another sheet

Synonyms of overlay

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of overlay in a Sentence

Verb you should apply a coat of primer first, and then overlay it with two coats of paint cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof Noun a silver ring with gold overlay The wooden table has a marble overlay.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The software offered to fix it, rendering a version with the left side lifted and overlaying the before and after so the subject could watch his own jawline move. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Ten straight hours of baking are edited into 90-second reels of prep work on Roll & Dough’s social pages, which Pierre, who is soft-spoken yet brutally honest, overlays with confessional voiceovers. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
The maxi comes with a slip to wear underneath the eyelet overlay, which can also be worn on its own as a beach cover-up. — Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026 The sole might give less support, the overlays wear down, and the outsole’s tread can go bald like a pair of tires. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overlay

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overlay was in the 14th century

Rhymes for overlay

See All Rhymes for overlay

Browse Nearby Words

overlaw
overlay
overlayer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

overlay

1 of 2 verb
over·​lay ˌō-vər-ˈlā How to pronounce overlay (audio)
overlaid -ˈlād How to pronounce overlay (audio) ; overlaying
1
: to lay or spread over or across
2
: overlie

overlay

2 of 2 noun
over·​lay ˈō-vər-ˌlā How to pronounce overlay (audio)
: something (as a veneer on wood) that is overlaid
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All