inlay

1 of 2

verb

in·​lay (ˌ)in-ˈlā  ˈin-ˌlā 

inlaid (ˌ)in-ˈlād 

ˈin-ˌlād

; inlaying

transitive verb

1

a

: to set into a surface or ground material

b

: to adorn with insertions

c

: to insert (something, such as a color plate) into a mat or other reinforcement

2

: to rub, beat, or fuse (something, such as wire) into an incision in metal, wood, or stone

inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2

noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

1

: inlaid work or a decorative inlaid pattern

2

: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

Examples of inlay in a Sentence

Noun

The cabinet doors are decorated with inlays.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

After learning how the family lives, the designer rejiggered the floor plan—moving a staircase, lowering a ceiling, and transforming an impractical formal dining room into a dreamy mudroom entry with custom cabinetry inlaid with bucolic Farrow & Ball wallpaper depicting scenes of farm life. —Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2026

The interior is all wood, including reading tables inlaid with exotic South American woods and bookshelves built with clever hideaway staircases. —Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026

Noun

The inlay murals are particularly noteworthy, evoking chinoiserie without actually depicting anything too Orientalist. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026

Cleaning parquet flooring—a type of wooden floor made of small wood inlays arranged in geometric patterns like herringbone, chevron, or basket weave—is a particularly sensitive task. —Nathalie Nietzsche-Knappe, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inlay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

inlay

1 of 2 verb

in·​lay (ˈ)in-ˈlā 

inlaid -ˈlād  ; inlaying

: to set into a surface for decoration or strengthening

inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2 noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

1

: inlaid work or material used in inlaying

2

: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

Medical Definition

inlay

noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

1

: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

2

: a piece of tissue (as bone) laid into the site of missing tissue to cover a defect