over·lay
ˌō-vər-ˈlā 
overlaid
ˌō-vər-ˈlād
; overlaying
; overlaying
1
a
: to lay or spread over or across : superimpose
b
: to prepare an overlay for
2
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
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
Keith Kloor, Scientific American, 27 June 2024
Kamryn wrote in one of the video's overlaying captions.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 13 June 2024
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 4 July 2024
Google users who search about the eclipse can see a graphic overlay depicting what millions on the path of totality will see Monday: the moment when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, revealing just the sun's outermost layer called the corona.
—Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overlay 
Verb
Now overlay this with the vaccine deceptions used by America’s spymasters in Pakistan and more recently in the Philippines.
—Keith Kloor, Scientific American, 27 June 2024
Kamryn wrote in one of the video's overlaying captions.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 13 June 2024
Noun
Prior to the match, Marta Kostyuk could be seen wearing the tennis dress with its removable mesh overlay with bridal button details, which adds an additional $100 to the price tag.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 4 July 2024
Google users who search about the eclipse can see a graphic overlay depicting what millions on the path of totality will see Monday: the moment when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, revealing just the sun's outermost layer called the corona.
—Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overlay
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overlay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overlay
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overlay
1 of 2 verb
over·lay
ˌō-vər-ˈlā
overlaid
-ˈlād
; overlaying
; overlaying
1
: to lay or spread over or across
2
: overlie
overlay
2 of 2 noun
over·lay
ˈō-vər-ˌlā
: something (as a veneer on wood) that is overlaid
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