overlay
1 of 2verb
over·lay ˌō-vər-ˈlā 
overlaid ˌō-vər-ˈlād ; overlaying
; overlaying 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 2noun
over·lay ˈō-vər-ˌlā
: 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
Verb
- blanket
- carpet
- coat
- cover
- overlie
- overspread
- sheet
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Beck Andrew Salgado, Journal Sentinel, 20 July 2022 The device will overlay digital content on top of real-life objects. Chris Smith, BGR, 12 July 2022 Simply power your camera in Google Maps, and the app will overlay information on top of the real world. Chris Smith, BGR, 24 May 2022 Part of that effort is to help the neighboring municipalities develop their own land use plans, overlay districts and such that are needed to make sure development around the airport is compatible, Burkes said. Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 18 Apr. 2022 Among the common ways people alter videos are to overlay text or add banners, Pollack said. David Ingram, NBC News, 17 May 2022 The metaverse is inherently an AI problem because humans lack the sort of perception needed to overlay digital objects on physical contexts or to understand the range of human actions and their corresponding effects in a metaverse setting. Gaurav Tewari, Forbes, 5 May 2022 In Balanchine ballets, you’re not supposed to overlay emotions that aren’t there. New York Times, 4 May 2022 Bruinvels says FitrWoman plans to develop a higher-level view of the data over a longer time period and overlay it with training information. Christine Yu, Outside Online, 6 Sep. 2020 Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 22 July 2022 To monitor up to the moment, Campendium inputs live weather, smoke, and wildfire data into its app, which is then compiled into a map overlay to give users a visual representation of fires and smoke in a particular area of interest. J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 7 June 2022 Nike took the timeless sneaker and added integrated traction in the outsole and a thin overlay that helps repel water—a feature that's great for those early morning tee times where the grass is dewy. John Thompson, Men's Health, 12 May 2022 Lisa in a strapless sweetheart-neckline Celine gown, Jisoo in a Dior gown with a floral-print overlay, Jennie in a Chanel halter crop top and maxi skirt, and Rosé in a Saint Laurent mock-neck minidress. Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Aug. 2022 Three and a half weeks before the wedding, Ms. Mishkin began making her two-piece wedding dress — a bodice with a sweetheart neckline and a skirt — out of egg-white, four-ply silk with a Swiss lace-netting overlay. New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Gulf Shores adopted short-term rental regulations in 2009, restricting the practice to an overlay district. al, 4 Aug. 2022 Kim wore one of her own older gowns with a lace overlay, paired with some stunning accessories. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 30 May 2022 The analysis was based in part on Canadian export records and Ukrainian video of drone strikes that show the MX-15’s distinctive overlay. Umar Farooq, ProPublica, 12 July 2022 See More
Verb
The corner is designated as new suburban, according to overlay district requirements, and because of this, requires specific design and aesthetic qualities — including orienting buildings toward the street. Beck Andrew Salgado, Journal Sentinel, 20 July 2022 The device will overlay digital content on top of real-life objects. Chris Smith, BGR, 12 July 2022 Simply power your camera in Google Maps, and the app will overlay information on top of the real world. Chris Smith, BGR, 24 May 2022 Part of that effort is to help the neighboring municipalities develop their own land use plans, overlay districts and such that are needed to make sure development around the airport is compatible, Burkes said. Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 18 Apr. 2022 Among the common ways people alter videos are to overlay text or add banners, Pollack said. David Ingram, NBC News, 17 May 2022 The metaverse is inherently an AI problem because humans lack the sort of perception needed to overlay digital objects on physical contexts or to understand the range of human actions and their corresponding effects in a metaverse setting. Gaurav Tewari, Forbes, 5 May 2022 In Balanchine ballets, you’re not supposed to overlay emotions that aren’t there. New York Times, 4 May 2022 Bruinvels says FitrWoman plans to develop a higher-level view of the data over a longer time period and overlay it with training information. Christine Yu, Outside Online, 6 Sep. 2020 Noun
These Bossy Glosses are special because every single color works beautifully on Black skin of all shades and can be applied on their own or as an overlay to matte lipsticks. Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 22 July 2022 To monitor up to the moment, Campendium inputs live weather, smoke, and wildfire data into its app, which is then compiled into a map overlay to give users a visual representation of fires and smoke in a particular area of interest. J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 7 June 2022 Nike took the timeless sneaker and added integrated traction in the outsole and a thin overlay that helps repel water—a feature that's great for those early morning tee times where the grass is dewy. John Thompson, Men's Health, 12 May 2022 Lisa in a strapless sweetheart-neckline Celine gown, Jisoo in a Dior gown with a floral-print overlay, Jennie in a Chanel halter crop top and maxi skirt, and Rosé in a Saint Laurent mock-neck minidress. Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Aug. 2022 Three and a half weeks before the wedding, Ms. Mishkin began making her two-piece wedding dress — a bodice with a sweetheart neckline and a skirt — out of egg-white, four-ply silk with a Swiss lace-netting overlay. New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Gulf Shores adopted short-term rental regulations in 2009, restricting the practice to an overlay district. al, 4 Aug. 2022 Kim wore one of her own older gowns with a lace overlay, paired with some stunning accessories. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 30 May 2022 The analysis was based in part on Canadian export records and Ukrainian video of drone strikes that show the MX-15’s distinctive overlay. Umar Farooq, ProPublica, 12 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
overlay 1 of 2
verb
over·lay ˌō-vər-ˈlā
overlaid
-ˈlād
; overlaying : to lay or spread over or across
The table top is overlaid with ceramic tiles.
overlay
2 of 2noun
over·lay ˈō-vər-ˌlā
: a usually thin covering that is laid over or across something The silver ring has gold overlay.
overlays
verb
1
as in coats
to form a layer over you should apply a coat of primer first, and then overlay it with two coats of paint Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- coats
- covers
- sheets
- blankets
- wraps
- carpets
- overlies
- circles
- veils
- shrouds
- curtains
- mantles
- overspreads
- envelops
- cloaks
- swathes
- encircles
- enshrouds
- shawls
- enrobes
- enwraps
- encloses
- clothes
- encompasses
- enswathes
- incloses
2
as in overlaps
to lie over parts of one another cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof Synonyms & Similar Words
- overlaps
- overlies
- shingles
- laps
- overspreads
- bone to pick
- bone turquoise
- bone up
- bone whale
- bone-ace
- bone-chilling
- Egyptian millet
- Egyptian onion
- Egyptian ophthalmia
- Egyptian privet
- egyptian red
- Egyptian soaproot
- Egyptian thorn
- Egyptian vulture
- Egyptian wheat
- egyptianer
- egyptianest
- Egyptianism
- Egyptianization
- Egyptianize
- egyptianner
- egyptiannest
- egyptians
- Egypticity
- egyptize