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splayed; splaying; splays
Example Sentences
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
Jeastman, oregonlive, 17 Mar. 2023
Tiktaalik could support itself on strong shoulder bones, bend its fins at the wrists, and splay out its hand-like bones.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2010
Many don’t travel alone but bring companions with them, in a dark collision that may tear some stars from the heart of their homes and splay them across the sky.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Discover Magazine, 8 Feb. 2022
But with an uneven surface, this shockwave becomes asymmetrical, causing the ejecta to clump in some areas and form rays that splay out from the impact zone.
—Michelle Hampson, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2018
Distinguishing features include a roomy toe box to let toes splay for natural balance and propulsion, a low heel-toe drop to gently reduce overstriding, and, until now, relatively low stack heights.
—Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 17 July 2022
But, every running sock from this brand legitimately has an exceptional fit thanks to an extremely deep and elastic heel cup, a stretchy arch to pull feet back into that heel cup, and a little extra room for toes to splay up front.
—Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2022
Lots of users want to connect with someone whose avatar is a doe-eyed woman in micro-jorts — or perhaps a hypermasculine beefcake with mandibles that splay out and away from his mouth like bat wings.
—New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022
This lightweight metal rake features a set of steel tines that easily splay from 7 inches to 23 inches, condensing in size to fit in smaller places and expanding to cover more ground.
—Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2022
Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2022
From the looks of the video, multiple vents were erupting from the New Southeast Crater, producing a splay of lava fountains during this intense strombolian eruption.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2013
On the one hand, testers appreciated the rather voluminous fit for its comfort and natural toe-splay.
—Cory Smith, Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2022
The fit accommodates wide feet and allows for forefoot splay, while wrapping and supporting comfortably and securely.
—Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 4 May 2020
Fans of zero-drop shoes that accommodate full toe splay will enjoy this comfy number.
—Cory Smith, Outside Online, 10 June 2022
Fit is true-to-size, with enough room in the toe box to allow for a natural toe splay over the wide sole.
—Cory Smith, Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2022
The tip splay is more pronounced than any ski in the test.
—Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2022
The Chagossians bent to their knees and kissed the sand, leaving a splay of palm prints.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022
See More
Verb
Preserved manzanita trees splay across the dining room.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 17 Mar. 2023
Tiktaalik could support itself on strong shoulder bones, bend its fins at the wrists, and splay out its hand-like bones.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2010
Many don’t travel alone but bring companions with them, in a dark collision that may tear some stars from the heart of their homes and splay them across the sky.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Discover Magazine, 8 Feb. 2022
But with an uneven surface, this shockwave becomes asymmetrical, causing the ejecta to clump in some areas and form rays that splay out from the impact zone.
—Michelle Hampson, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2018
Distinguishing features include a roomy toe box to let toes splay for natural balance and propulsion, a low heel-toe drop to gently reduce overstriding, and, until now, relatively low stack heights.
—Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 17 July 2022
But, every running sock from this brand legitimately has an exceptional fit thanks to an extremely deep and elastic heel cup, a stretchy arch to pull feet back into that heel cup, and a little extra room for toes to splay up front.
—Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2022
Lots of users want to connect with someone whose avatar is a doe-eyed woman in micro-jorts — or perhaps a hypermasculine beefcake with mandibles that splay out and away from his mouth like bat wings.
—New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022
This lightweight metal rake features a set of steel tines that easily splay from 7 inches to 23 inches, condensing in size to fit in smaller places and expanding to cover more ground.
—Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2022
Noun
Merrell designed this pair specifically for women, with our specific toe splay, hip width, and arch propensities in mind.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2022
From the looks of the video, multiple vents were erupting from the New Southeast Crater, producing a splay of lava fountains during this intense strombolian eruption.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2013
On the one hand, testers appreciated the rather voluminous fit for its comfort and natural toe-splay.
—Cory Smith, Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2022
The fit accommodates wide feet and allows for forefoot splay, while wrapping and supporting comfortably and securely.
—Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 4 May 2020
Fans of zero-drop shoes that accommodate full toe splay will enjoy this comfy number.
—Cory Smith, Outside Online, 10 June 2022
Fit is true-to-size, with enough room in the toe box to allow for a natural toe splay over the wide sole.
—Cory Smith, Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2022
The tip splay is more pronounced than any ski in the test.
—Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2022
The Chagossians bent to their knees and kissed the sand, leaving a splay of palm prints.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'splay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of splay was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near splay
Cite this Entry
“Splay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splay. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
splay
verbˈsplā
: to spread out or apart
a colt with legs splayed out
More from Merriam-Webster on splay
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for splay
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