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
Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Polka dots were turned pop, scaled down or up in their size, rendered in white, red or black, or overlaid on summery, Italian Riviera-nodding stripes.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
In the picture, Rutherford could be seen wearing a one-shoulder white dress with a white overlay, posing next to her son.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Podlesí is notorious for its boring atmosphere, overlaying everything like a thick blanket.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Polka dots were turned pop, scaled down or up in their size, rendered in white, red or black, or overlaid on summery, Italian Riviera-nodding stripes.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
The attraction occasionally shifts into Hyperspace Mountain mode, with a Star Wars overlay that was first introduced during the 2015 Season of the Force event.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
In the picture, Rutherford could be seen wearing a one-shoulder white dress with a white overlay, posing next to her son.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 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 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share