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
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
Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Designers are playing with proportions and adding volume to the region with cage-like boning, padded interiors, and tulle overlays.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
Mecca Pryor, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
The design, which debuted in the house's Fall/Winter 2025 collection, featured off-the-shoulder sleeves and a sheer overlay with a large rose motif, giving off the impression that Saldaña got a huge floral tattoo on her sternum.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
The dark shadow overlaid on a starry background is known as the Circinus West molecular cloud.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Designers are playing with proportions and adding volume to the region with cage-like boning, padded interiors, and tulle overlays.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
The Ballerina silhouette features suede overlays on the heel and toe, a slim silhouette with bungee-cord laces, and Benito branding near Adidas’s signature three stripes.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
The design, which debuted in the house's Fall/Winter 2025 collection, featured off-the-shoulder sleeves and a sheer overlay with a large rose motif, giving off the impression that Saldaña got a huge floral tattoo on her sternum.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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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