splay

1 of 3

verb

ˈsplā 

splayed; splaying; splays

transitive verb

1

: to cause to spread outward

2

: to make oblique : bevel

intransitive verb

1

: to extend apart or outward especially in an awkward manner

2

: slope, slant

splay

2 of 3

noun

1

: a slope or bevel especially of the sides of a door or window

2

: spread, expansion

splay

3 of 3

adjective

1

: turned outward

splay knees

2

: awkward, ungainly

Examples of splay in a Sentence

Verb

He sat with his legs splayed apart.

She splayed her fingers to show off her manicure.

His fingers splayed out over the table as he steadied himself.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Scores of sunbathers splayed on towels or under beach tents. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2024

The handprint splayed across his mouth is a symbol of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024

Noun

Even our runners with regular-width feet appreciated the extra space, once they got used to their toes having room for their natural positioning and splay. —Cory Smith, Outside Online, 19 Sep. 2024

For some people, simply switching shoes (and possibly ditching their socks) is enough to help their toes achieve proper splay. —Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English splaien "to unfurl, spread out, spread-eagle, split (a fish) lengthwise and lay open," aphetic form of displaien "to unfurl (a banner), spread (the arms), display entry 1"

Noun

derivative of splay entry 1

Adjective

derivative of splay entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

splay

verb

ˈsplā

: to spread out or apart

a colt with legs splayed out