clay
noun
ˈklā 
often attributive
1
a
: an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery
specifically : soil composed chiefly of this material having particles less than a specified size
b
: earth, mud
2
a
: a substance that resembles clay in plasticity and is used for modeling
b
: the human body as distinguished from the spirit
c
: fundamental nature or character
the common clay
3
: clay court
clayey
ˈklā-ē
adjective clayish
ˈklā-ish
adjective claylike
ˈklā-ˌlīk
adjective 
Synonyms
- character
- colors
- complexion
- constitution
- genius
- nature
- personality
- self
- tone
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Nadal leads on clay, thanks to those 14 French Open titles, at 91.3%, to 80.3% for Djokovic and 76.1% for Federer. 
Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2022 Nadal has been around long enough that every player doing well on clay today seems to have grown up watching him. Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 5 June 2022 Will experience reign supreme in this matchup, or will youth steal the show on the red clay? Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 5 June 2022 It’s the pace of play on clay, per ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert, that especially helps a player build defensive skills. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 3 June 2022 The Spanish legend was out of action for six weeks nursing a rib injury, and arrived in Madrid with little to no preparation on clay. Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 6 May 2022 Images of the clay reconstruction were released Thursday showing the person's face at several angles. Amy Simonson, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 Simpson’s first public art commission and largest project to date, Counterculture, features 12 hollow, concrete-clay forms supported by steel-gauge wire frames that stand approximately nine feet tall. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 The invitation, a handmade clay plate with the date, came with two vials of custom scents—one for Katja and one for Yolande—that were meant to be applied together to represent their union. Nancy A. Ruhling, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2022 See More
Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2022 Nadal has been around long enough that every player doing well on clay today seems to have grown up watching him. Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 5 June 2022 Will experience reign supreme in this matchup, or will youth steal the show on the red clay? Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 5 June 2022 It’s the pace of play on clay, per ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert, that especially helps a player build defensive skills. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 3 June 2022 The Spanish legend was out of action for six weeks nursing a rib injury, and arrived in Madrid with little to no preparation on clay. Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 6 May 2022 Images of the clay reconstruction were released Thursday showing the person's face at several angles. Amy Simonson, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 Simpson’s first public art commission and largest project to date, Counterculture, features 12 hollow, concrete-clay forms supported by steel-gauge wire frames that stand approximately nine feet tall. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 The invitation, a handmade clay plate with the date, came with two vials of custom scents—one for Katja and one for Yolande—that were meant to be applied together to represent their union. Nancy A. Ruhling, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English clǣg; akin to Old High German klīwa bran, Latin gluten glue, Middle Greek glia
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing clay
Kids Definition
clay
noun
ˈklā
1
: an earthy material that is sticky and easily molded when wet and hard when baked
2
: a substance like clay that is used for modeling
Biographical Definition
Clay 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
ˈklā
Henry 1777–1852 American statesman and orator
Clay
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Lucius Du Bi*gnon du̇-ˈbin-yən 1897–1978 American general
1897–1978 American general clay
noun
as in self
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others had the feeling that the natives were of a different clay than us and that neither side would ever understand the other Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- self
- nature
- colors
- tone
- personality
- character
- constitution
- complexion
- characteristic
- composition
- genius
- spirit
- disposition
- property
- metal
- feature
- makeup
- trait
- grain
- attribute
- temperament
- stamp
- substance
- soul
- essence
- temper
- habit
- interior
- sort
- singularity
- flavor
- uniqueness
- mark
- individuality
- distinctness
- stuff
- distinctiveness
- earmark
- hallmark
- way
- savor
- point
- savour
- essentiality
- interiority
- essentiality