underlay

1 of 3

verb

un·​der·​lay ˌən-dər-ˈlā 

underlaid ˌən-dər-ˈlād  ; underlaying

transitive verb

1

: to cover, line, or traverse the bottom of : give support to on the underside or below

2

: to raise or support by something laid under

underlay

2 of 3

noun

un·​der·​lay ˈən-dər-ˌlā 

: something that is or is designed to be laid under

underlay

3 of 3

past tense of underlie

Examples of underlay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The push toward abstraction in mid-century American art coincided with a surge of interest in existentialism, which had begun to displace the pragmatism that underlay Avery’s approach. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

The new data center will give OpenAI more access to the high-end chips and compute power that underlay the entire AI architecture. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Noun

Nike also says the leather used on the ’01 builds is more premium, which provides greater definition between the overlays and underlays. — Olivia Cigliano, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

As Pitt continued his Heart of the Beast press circuit with a stop at the September 23 film festival, de Ramon was a vision in a plunging slip dress, which featured a nude underlay and was covered in a diaphanous layer of intricate green lace. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for underlay

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

underlay

verb

un·​der·​lay

ˌən-dər-ˈlā

underlaid

-ˈlād

; underlaying

1

: to cover, line, or cross the bottom of

shingles underlaid with tar paper

2

: to raise or hold up by something laid under

underlay

ˈən-dər-ˌlā

noun