Meaning & use
overlay
A layer of material placed over another surface, often for decoration or protection.
See it in a sentence
The designer added a gold overlay to the wooden picture frame for a polished look.
The map app displayed a traffic overlay showing congested roads in red.
A note on using this word
Overlay is often used in design and technology for a visual layer placed on top of a base image or map.
Words with a similar meaning
layercoating
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To place one layer or material over another, often as decoration or reinforcement.
The craftsman overlaid the table with a thin sheet of polished brass.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “overlay”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.