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
Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Club Dispersion Patterns: Users can view personalized club accuracy patterns overlaid on maps of golf holes within the Bushnell Golf app, providing clear visual indicators to guide club selection and course management decisions.
—Erik Matuszewski, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
The Microsoft Edge Game Assist feature is a widget that appears in the Game Bar in Windows 11 much like Valve’s Steam overlay browser.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overlay 
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Verb
The photo chosen is one of Swift taking a selfie with the three members of the Wales family backstage at the arena, overlaid over a photo of Swift in full performance mode.
—Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Club Dispersion Patterns: Users can view personalized club accuracy patterns overlaid on maps of golf holes within the Bushnell Golf app, providing clear visual indicators to guide club selection and course management decisions.
—Erik Matuszewski, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
Pennies are mostly made of zinc, with a copper overlay to give them their distinctive color.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
The Microsoft Edge Game Assist feature is a widget that appears in the Game Bar in Windows 11 much like Valve’s Steam overlay browser.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overlay
Dictionary Entries Near overlay
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 30 Jan. 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
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