overlay
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to put a layer of something on top of another thing.
v.to lay, spread, or apply a layer over a surface or another object.
Simple“The artist decided to overlay the blue paint with a thin layer of gold.”
In context“The designer chose to overlay the digital map with real-time traffic data to provide a more comprehensive view for the users.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a layer of something that is put over something else.
n.a covering or layer that is superimposed on a surface or another object.
Simple“The table had a beautiful glass overlay to protect the wood underneath.”
In context“The presentation included a transparent overlay that highlighted the projected growth areas on the regional map.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a part of a website or app that appears on top of the main screen.
n.a graphical user interface element that appears over the existing display, often used for advertisements or notifications.
Simple“An annoying ad overlay blocked the text I was trying to read.”
In context“The streaming software allows users to add a custom overlay that displays their social media handles during the broadcast.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.when the chance of winning is better than the price you have to pay.
n.a situation in which the odds offered on a wager are higher than the actual probability of the outcome occurring.
Simple“The professional gambler identified the horse as a clear overlay at ten-to-one.”
In context“Experienced bettors look for an overlay where the public has underestimated a contestant's statistical likelihood of victory.”
Synonymsvalue betAntonymsunderlay - 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to accidentally smother someone, usually a baby, by lying on top of them.
v.to suffocate a person or animal by lying upon them; historically used in the context of infants in shared beds.
Simple“In the old records, the cause of death was listed as the infant being overlaid.”
In context“The historical text warned mothers of the dangers of overlaying their children during the night.”
“Image caption, "Climate, changed," is the Observer's pithy headline, describing it as "the burning issue" overlaying smoke billowing from mountainside fires in Powys, Wales.”
“The Blue Origin logo and motto is overlaid on the famous ‘Earthrise’ photo from Apollo 8.”
From Middle English overleyen, from Old English oferleċġan, from Proto-West Germanic obarlaggjan, from Proto-Germanic uberlagjaną, equivalent to over- + lay. Cognate with Saterland Frisian uurläze, úurlääse, Dutch overleggen, German Low German overleggen, överleggen, German überlegen, Swedish överlägga, Norwegian overlegge. Compare overlie.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.