clay

noun

ˈklā 

often attributive

1

a

: an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery

specifically : soil composed chiefly of this material having particles less than a specified size

b

: earth, mud

2

a

: a substance that resembles clay in plasticity and is used for modeling

b

: the human body as distinguished from the spirit

c

: fundamental nature or character

the common clay

3

: clay court

clayey

ˈklā-ē 

adjective

clayish

ˈklā-ish 

adjective

claylike

ˈklā-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• self
• nature
• colors
• tone
• personality

Examples of clay in a Sentence

had the feeling that the natives were of a different clay than us and that neither side would ever understand the other

Recent Examples on the Web

Hopkins, 87, wore the Face Wrap in the clay colorway around his chin, neck, and ears in a throwback to his Silence of the Lambs character, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who wore a tan face mask to prevent him from biting others while imprisoned. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Language is much more like modeling clay than marble. —J.t. Barbarese, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025

Sandy textured soils should be sampled every 2 to 3 years and clay soils should be sampled every 3 to 4 years. —Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025

Most of the problems with clay soil stem from the clay itself, as clay particles are much smaller than sand grains and are more likely to clump together and constrict the movement of air, water, and soil nutrients. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English clǣg; akin to Old High German klīwa bran, Latin gluten glue, Middle Greek glia

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing clay

• china clay
• clay court
• clay feet
• clay loam
• clay mineral
• clay pigeon
• feet of clay
• pipe clay
• potter's clay

Rhymes for clay

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

clay

noun

ˈklā 

1

: an earthy material that is sticky and easily molded when wet and hard when baked

2

: a plastic substance used like clay for modeling

Biographical Definition

Clay 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈklā 

Henry 1777–1852 American statesman and orator

Clay

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Lucius Du Bi*gnon du̇-ˈbin-yən  1897–1978 American general