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
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 2025
Much of the content was overlaid with pink and featured pink hearts.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Nov. 2025
Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Mixing a royal blue base with nubuck overlays and a jagged white midsole, the colorway would have looked right at home alongside other Nike basketball shoes from the 1990s such as the Air Up, Air Max CW and Penny Hardaway’s various signature sneakers.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
Slow-motion footage from active shooter training courses, which is overlaid with bombastic opera and accented with a Ruben Östlund-like comic detachment.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 2025
Much of the content was overlaid with pink and featured pink hearts.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Nov. 2025
Noun
Suede overlays and nylon underlays offer texture, durability, and major style cred, yet this shoe doesn’t compromise on comfort; lifted foam midsoles provide plenty of cushion for all-day support.
—Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Mixing a royal blue base with nubuck overlays and a jagged white midsole, the colorway would have looked right at home alongside other Nike basketball shoes from the 1990s such as the Air Up, Air Max CW and Penny Hardaway’s various signature sneakers.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 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 29 Nov. 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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