overlay

1 of 2

verb

over·​lay ˌō-vər-ˈlā 

overlaid ˌō-vər-ˈlād  ; 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 2

noun

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 of overlay

Verb

• coat
• cover
• 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

Verb

His team spent about a month overlaying influenza trends on card spending, hunting for spikes at drugstores, and found a relationship that was never clean enough to use. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

In novels such as Thousand Cranes and The Master of Go, Yasunari Kawabata wedded stream-of-consciousness to classical forms of ritual and performance, modeling rapid Japanese westernization through stories that overlay the ancient and the modern. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Noun

The longtime couple coordinated in white sneakers, with the actress opting for Nike Pacific sneakers featuring a white textile upper, a suede overlay on the toe, and a silver Swoosh. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 20 July 2026

In many organizations, AI still operates as an overlay rather than a redesign. — Nigel Vaz, Time, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overlay

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

overlay

1 of 2 verb

over·​lay ˌō-vər-ˈlā 

overlaid -ˈlād  ; 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