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
Synonyms
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
Truebridge Capital, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Additionally, a feature called Field Goal Target Zones will overlay multiple lines on the field that show the statistical likelihoods that a kicker will make a field goal.
—Bychris Morris, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
That piece, equal parts painting and sculpture, consists of a patched shipping tarp overlaid with steel railroad tracks, with a dot of neon light near the top representing the North Star.
—Alex Williams, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, a feature called Field Goal Target Zones overlays multiple lines on the field that show the statistical likelihoods that a kicker will make a field goal.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023
By analyzing millions of images, AI software can better predict how a body will look naked and fluidly overlay a face into a pornographic video, said Gang Wang, an expert in AI at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
—Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2023
They are seated in a garden, their figures overlaid with historical images and abstract patterns.
—The Beautiful Ones, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2023
But looking at proximity alone, the distance between Gaza City (overlaid on Thousand Oaks) and Jerusalem (Lancaster) fits inside Los Angeles County.
—Lauren Raab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023
Explain to the business how security overlays, integrates and complements all activities in the business value chain.
—Steve Durbin, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
The Broadway star didn’t want to wear white on her big day, and instead opted for a Pamella Roland gown with a sheer nude and pink overlay and a bow detail at the back.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
That money will be split between two city street maintenance projects, one focused on an overlay of new pavement and one for a slurry seal.
—Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2023
Trace an overlay tree onto a contrasting color of felt, cutting it slightly smaller than the foundation tree; glue the two trees together as shown.
—Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023
Some of the pictures overlay figures rendered with black lines atop fields of soft, drippy daubs in a rainbow of hues.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
This super classic lace overlay dress is a timeless classic that works for any dressy occasion.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
On Friday night—as indicated by the video clip's text overlay—Lopez and friends saw Usher and Nas, the latter of whom appeared as Usher's special guest for the night.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2023
Case in point: This sleek black dress boot featuring crocodile overlays and inlays.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2023
See More
Verb
The list is intended to measure those successful investments, overlay an investor’s relative role in each of those companies, and ultimately recognize those VCs that have been able to replicate investing achievements in multiple companies across periods of time.
—Truebridge Capital, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Additionally, a feature called Field Goal Target Zones will overlay multiple lines on the field that show the statistical likelihoods that a kicker will make a field goal.
—Bychris Morris, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
That piece, equal parts painting and sculpture, consists of a patched shipping tarp overlaid with steel railroad tracks, with a dot of neon light near the top representing the North Star.
—Alex Williams, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, a feature called Field Goal Target Zones overlays multiple lines on the field that show the statistical likelihoods that a kicker will make a field goal.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023
By analyzing millions of images, AI software can better predict how a body will look naked and fluidly overlay a face into a pornographic video, said Gang Wang, an expert in AI at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
—Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2023
They are seated in a garden, their figures overlaid with historical images and abstract patterns.
—The Beautiful Ones, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2023
But looking at proximity alone, the distance between Gaza City (overlaid on Thousand Oaks) and Jerusalem (Lancaster) fits inside Los Angeles County.
—Lauren Raab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023
Explain to the business how security overlays, integrates and complements all activities in the business value chain.
—Steve Durbin, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Noun
Features include a contrast ripstop overlay plus kangaroo pocket for stashing your phone and a zippered chest pocket.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
The Broadway star didn’t want to wear white on her big day, and instead opted for a Pamella Roland gown with a sheer nude and pink overlay and a bow detail at the back.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
That money will be split between two city street maintenance projects, one focused on an overlay of new pavement and one for a slurry seal.
—Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2023
Trace an overlay tree onto a contrasting color of felt, cutting it slightly smaller than the foundation tree; glue the two trees together as shown.
—Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023
Some of the pictures overlay figures rendered with black lines atop fields of soft, drippy daubs in a rainbow of hues.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
This super classic lace overlay dress is a timeless classic that works for any dressy occasion.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
On Friday night—as indicated by the video clip's text overlay—Lopez and friends saw Usher and Nas, the latter of whom appeared as Usher's special guest for the night.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2023
Case in point: This sleek black dress boot featuring crocodile overlays and inlays.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overlay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near overlay
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on overlay
Nglish: Translation of overlay for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of overlay for Arabic Speakers
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