overlay

verb

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over·lay | \ ˌō-vər-ˈlā

overlaid\ ˌō-vər-ˈlād

\; overlaying

Definition of overlay

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to lay or spread over or across : superimpose

b : to prepare an overlay for

2 : overlie sense 2

overlay

noun

over·lay | \ ˈō-vər-ˌlā

Definition of overlay (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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 Example Sentences Learn More about overlay

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Synonyms for overlay

Synonyms: Verb

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 Then the contractor will come and overlay the patch. — Laurinda Joenks, Arkansas Online, "Springdale gets street smart with overlay program," 17 Feb. 2021 Fashion brands and apps are adding virtual try-on options for clothing, like the Zeekit app, which takes a photo of your body in a tank top and shorts to overlay virtual shirts and pants. — Washington Post, "For Amazon’s $25 custom T-shirt, your body is a wonderland (of data)," 5 Jan. 2021 Reggae classics do not overlay these dramas but, rather, melt into them. — Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, "The Sensuality and Brutality of Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe”," 23 Nov. 2020 The ability to take your everyday interaction with your cell phone and overlay it on reality. — Kyle Stock, Bloomberg.com, "The British Company That’s Bringing Augmented Reality to Your Windshield," 19 Oct. 2020 The ability to actually overlay that information upon reality—to put the arrows on the place where you’re supposed to turn—is incredibly compelling. — Kyle Stock, Bloomberg.com, "The British Company That’s Bringing Augmented Reality to Your Windshield," 19 Oct. 2020 The effects of the coronavirus frequently overlay a system in which growers have routinely failed to protect workers while on the job — offering them substandard transportation, housing and access to health care and testing, Kissam said. — Washington Post, "Virus’s unseen hot zone: The American farm," 24 Sep. 2020 But the company has been working for years on a set of glasses or goggles that will overlay augmented reality elements on a user's field of view. — Aaron Pressman, Fortune, "Apple’s ‘Time Flies’ event: 5 things to look for," 15 Sep. 2020 The $15 cake covers ($5 for the slice cover) contain sides that overlay and snap together, sealing the cake inside — and birthday candles are inserted into the shields' top flat base, rather than into the cake itself. — Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, "The Top It Cake Shield Aims to Protect Birthday Cakes from Flyaway Germs and Spit," 8 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun City Council is discussing creating a special overlay designation that will target different types of land uses and development in the city. — Linda Gandee, cleveland, "Avon Lake council looks to create specialty zones to guide development," 1 Mar. 2021 The story is meticulously paced with ever-appearing overlay text, which subtly encourages you to explore certain paths, or rewards you for finding your way. — Matt Gardner, Forbes, "‘Maquette’ Review (PS5): The Finest Indie Game Debut In Years," 1 Mar. 2021 Then there’s the multifamily overlay district that town officials are discussing near the Alewife MBTA station, because the new law requires them to do so. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Housing Choice brings the biggest changes to Massachusetts zoning laws in decades," 8 Feb. 2021 The company needs voters to rezone the land into an overlay district to match the rest of Valor Acres. — Bob Sandrick, cleveland, "Brecksville City Council votes unanimously to place Sherwin-Williams rezoning on May 4 ballot," 6 Feb. 2021 Voters officially turned down the overlay rezoning Nov. 3. — cleveland, "Pepper Pike large property owners not pleased with proposed U-2 zoning changes," 26 Nov. 2020 The girl’s Darling Dots dress comes in sizes 2 to 6 and features ruffles, a bow, and mesh overlay. — Lindsey Hunter Lopez, USA TODAY, "26 cute and fun Valentine's Day gifts kids will love," 21 Jan. 2021 Not listed for 2020, along with Candlelight, are the holiday storytellers found in multiple pavilions or the holiday overlay that debuted at Living With the Land last year. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "How Disney will tweak Epcot’s holiday celebrations," 26 Oct. 2020 Take Lizzo, who did some recording in her home studio in a tulle-overlay crop top and ripped jeans. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "This Year, Stars Turned Their Living Rooms Into Red Carpets," 23 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overlay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.