overlay
oh-vuh-LAY
Overlay (verb) means to lay or spread one thing over another. Example: “The designer overlaid the map with a grid of coordinates.”
verb
1
To lay or spread one thing over another.
"The designer overlaid the map with a grid of coordinates."
noun
1
A layer, image, or piece of information placed on top of something else.
"The app shows a translation overlay on top of the camera view."
"She added a text overlay to the video."
How to use overlay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (or the act of putting something) placed on top of something else, often to add information or a visual effect.
Common pairings
video overlay
text overlay
overlay a map
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Word forms
- Plural
- overlays
- Third person singular
- overlays
- Past tense
- overlaid, overlayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The app shows a translation _____ on top of the camera view.
Etymology
From Old English oferleċġan, built from over- + lay; German überlegen is a cognate.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for overlay
See all rhymes for overlay →Frequently asked questions
What does “overlay” mean?
The word “overlay” means to lay or spread one thing over another. In plain terms, something (or the act of putting something) placed on top of something else, often to add information or a visual effect.
How do you pronounce “overlay”?
“Overlay” is pronounced oh-vuh-LAY (/ˌoʊvɚˈleɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “overlay” in a sentence?
Here is “overlay” used in a sentence: “The app shows a translation overlay on top of the camera view.”
What part of speech is “overlay”?
Depending on how it is used, “overlay” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “overlay” come from?
The word “overlay” comes from Old English. From Old English oferleċġan, built from over- + lay; German überlegen is a cognate.
Is “overlay” a common word?
“Overlay” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “overlay” have?
“Overlay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to lay or spread one thing over another.
