Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense, 3rd person singular presenttense overlays, present participle overlaying, past tense, past participle overlaidpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (oʊvəʳleɪ). The noun is pronounced (oʊvəʳleɪ).
1. verb [usually passive]
If something is overlaidwith something else, it is covered by it.
The floor was overlaid with rugs of oriental design. [beVERB-ed + with]
...woollen cloth, overlaid with gold and silver embroidery. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: cover, coat, blanket, adorn More Synonyms of overlay
2. variable noun [usually with supplement]
You can use overlay to refer to a substance which covers the surface of something.
Silver overlay is bonded to the entire surface.
...an overlay of snow on the tops of the iron fences.
Synonyms: covering, casing, wrapping, decoration More Synonyms of overlay
3. verb
If something is overlaidwith a feeling or quality, that feeling or quality is the most noticeable one, but there may be deeper and more important ones involved.
[written]
The party had been overlaid with a certain nervousness. [beVERB-ed + with]
...a surge of feeling which at this moment overlaid all others. [VERB noun]
Overlay is also a noun.
There can be an emotional overlay to the frustration of solving real problems.
...the thin overlay of success.
overlay in British English
verb (ˌəʊvəˈleɪ)Word forms: -lays, -laying or -laid(transitive)
1.
to lay or place something over or upon (something else)
2. (often foll by with)
to cover, overspread, or conceal (with)
3. (foll by with)
to cover (a surface) with an applied decoration
ebony overlaid with silver
4.
to achieve the correct printing pressure all over (a forme or plate) by adding to the appropriate areas of the packing
noun (ˈəʊvəˌleɪ)
5.
something that is laid over something else; covering
6.
an applied decoration or layer, as of gold leaf
7.
a transparent sheet giving extra details to a map or diagram over which it is designed to be placed
8. printing
material, such as paper, used to overlay a forme or plate
overlay in American English
(ˌoʊvərˈleɪ; also, and for n. always, ˈoʊvərˌleɪ)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˌoverˈlaid or ˌoverˈlaying
1.
to lay or spread over
2.
to cover or overspread, as with a decorative layer of something
3. Printing
to place an overlay upon
noun
4.
anything laid over another thing; covering
5.
a decorative layer or the like, applied in overlaying
6.
a transparent flap showing additional details, areas of color, etc. placed over a map, art work, etc.
7. US
in betting, odds which are set higher than expected or warranted
8. Printing
the paper affixed to the impression surface of a press to help make a uniform impression
Examples of 'overlay' in a sentence
overlay
He stared up at the sumptuous portrait, a shimmering mix of oil overlaid with silver and gold leaf.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
overlay
British English: overlay VERB
If something is overlaid with something else, it is covered by it.
The floor was overlaid with patterned rugs.
American English: overlay
Brazilian Portuguese: cobrir
Chinese: 盖在...之上
European Spanish: recubrir
French: couvert
German: belegen
Italian: ricoprire
Japanese: かぶせる
Korean: 덮어 씌우다
European Portuguese: cobrir
Latin American Spanish: recubrir
(verb)
Definition
to cover (a surface) with an applied decoration
The floor was overlaid with rugs of Turkish design.a very large dark wood table overlaid in glass
Synonyms
cover
The clouds had spread and nearly covered the entire sky.
coat
Coat the fish with seasoned flour.
blanket
More than a foot of snow blanketed parts of Michigan.
adorn
mantle
Many of the peaks were already mantled with snow.
ornament
envelop
the thick black cloud of smoke that enveloped the area
veneer
encase
inlay
superimpose
laminate
overspread
(noun)
Definition
an applied decoration or layer, for example of gold leaf
Silver overlay is bonded to the entire surface.
Synonyms
covering
Sawdust was used as a hygienic floor covering.
casing
Bullet casings lay scattered on the ground.
wrapping
decoration
He played a part in the decoration of the tree.
veneer
bath panels fitted with a mahogany veneer
adornment
Cosmetics are used for adornment.
ornamentation
The decor was functional and free of ornamentation.
appliqué
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adornment
Cosmetics are used for adornment.
Synonyms
beautification,
decorating,
decoration,
embellishment,
ornamentation
in the sense of blanket
Definition
to cover as if with a blanket
More than a foot of snow blanketed parts of Michigan.
Synonyms
coat,
cover,
hide,
surround,
cloud,
mask,
conceal,
obscure,
eclipse,
cloak
in the sense of casing
Definition
a protective case or covering
Bullet casings lay scattered on the ground.
Synonyms
covering,
case,
cover,
shell,
container,
integument
Nearby words of
overlay
overindulge
overindulgence
overjoyed
overlay
overload
overlook
overly
Synonyms of 'overlay'
overlay
Explore 'overlay' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of coat
Definition
to cover with a layer
Coat the fish with seasoned flour.
Synonyms
cover,
spread,
plaster,
smear
in the sense of decoration
Definition
the way in which a room or building is decorated
He played a part in the decoration of the tree.
Synonyms
adornment,
trimming,
garnishing,
enhancement,
elaboration,
embellishment,
ornamentation,
beautification
in the sense of envelop
Definition
to cover, surround, or enclose
the thick black cloud of smoke that enveloped the area
Synonyms
enclose,
cover,
hide,
surround,
wrap around,
embrace,
blanket,
conceal,
obscure,
veil,
encompass,
engulf,
cloak,
shroud,
swathe,
encircle,
encase,
swaddle,
sheathe,
enfold,
enwrap
in the sense of mantle
Definition
to spread over or become spread over
Many of the peaks were already mantled with snow.
Synonyms
cover,
hide,
blanket,
cloud,
wrap,
screen,
mask,
disguise,
veil,
cloak,
shroud,
envelop,
overspread
in the sense of ornamentation
The decor was functional and free of ornamentation.
Synonyms
decoration,
trimming,
frills,
garnishing,
embroidery,
enrichment,
elaboration,
embellishment,
adornment,
beautification,
ornateness
in the sense of veneer
Definition
a thin layer of wood or plastic used to cover the surface of something made of cheaper material