underlay

1 of 2

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 2

noun

un·​der·​lay ˈən-dər-ˌlā 

: something that is or is designed to be laid under

Examples of underlay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The sound of water, which normally underlay everyday life, had been momentarily eradicated. —Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Set in sepia tones, the image will underlay a smaller and older stamp of a bison in a nod to philatelists. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Mar. 2026

Noun

The sleeveless crew-neck dress featured a sculptural peplum bodice that flared around her upper thighs, which was layered over a floor-length column skirt underlay. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Both pairs feature matching color blocking with Moonbeam gray suede wrapping the uppers and colored mesh filling in the underlays. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 May 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