overlay
overlay — verb
- overlaypresent simple I / you / we / they
- overlayshe / she / it
- overlaidpast simple
- overlaying-ing form
1. to place a thin layer of one material over the surface of another, often to prot
to place a thin layer of one material over the surface of another, often to protect, decorate, or improve its look.
Meera overlaid the new sofa with a simple cotton cover to protect it from dust.
active: overlay + noun + with + noun
The old wooden table had been overlaid with a layer of dark varnish.
passive: be overlaid with [layer]
Lucas overlaid the brick wall with a coat of white paint for a cleaner look.
Yuna overlaid the garden path with small grey stones instead of concrete.
The craftsman overlaid the jewellery box with thin sheets of silver.
文法句型
overlay + noun + with + noun
be overlaid with + noun
用法筆記
Often in the passive form 'be overlaid with' when describing the finished surface. Subject is usually a surface such as a floor, table, wall, or piece of furniture.
常見錯誤
2. to add a quality, mood, or feeling that affects the way something feels or is ex
to add a quality, mood, or feeling that affects the way something feels or is experienced — for example, a serious conversation overlaid with tension, or a story overlaid with gentle humour.
Baraka's serious voice was overlaid with a hint of nervousness as he began to speak.
passive: be overlaid with [abstract quality]
The family celebration was overlaid with sadness because Hugo could not travel home.
Talia's story is overlaid with a gentle humour that children really enjoy.
The team meeting was overlaid with tension from the earlier argument about the budget.
The song's cheerful melody was overlaid with lyrics about loneliness and regret.
文法句型
be overlaid with + abstract noun
用法筆記
Almost always in the passive form 'be overlaid with'. The added element is an abstract quality (tension, sadness, humour, irony, bitterness), not a physical material. Subject is usually an event, performance, text, or atmosphere.
常見錯誤
overlay — noun
- overlaysingular
- overlaysplural
1. a thin layer of material spread across a surface to decorate, protect, or change
a thin layer of material spread across a surface to decorate, protect, or change its appearance.
The artist added a delicate gold overlay to the old wooden picture frame.
collocation: gold overlay / silver overlay
A thin overlay of ice covered the car windscreen on the cold winter morning.
Evelyn chose a wooden table with a natural overlay of wax for protection.
The kitchen counter had a stone overlay that made cleaning much easier.
Léa admired the delicate silver overlay on the old round mirror.
用法筆記
Often describes decorative or protective finishes on furniture, jewellery, or surfaces. Refers to the visible outer layer, not the structure underneath.