underlay
/ˈʌndəleɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌndərleɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-dər-ˈlā How to pronounce underlay (audio)/ (ame, mw)
underlay — noun
1. a thick soft sheet, typically made of foam or felt, fitted beneath a carpet so t
a thick soft sheet, typically made of foam or felt, fitted beneath a carpet so that walking feels softer and the carpet lasts longer, while also helping to block noise or cold from the room below
Quan rolled out the foam underlay before laying the new living-room carpet.
collocation: foam underlay / carpet underlay
Soraya chose a thick rubber underlay for the nursery to keep the floor warm.
The installer said the old underlay was damp and needed to be replaced entirely.
Anjali bought underlay that also blocks noise from the room below the bedroom.
Underlay made from recycled materials is becoming popular with eco-conscious homeowners.
- padding
more general term for any soft layer used for comfort or protection; not limited to carpets
- carpet cushion
American English alternative for the same product
文法句型
usually singular
用法筆記
In American English, this is often called 'carpet padding' or 'carpet cushion'. In British English, 'underlay' is the standard term. The word is most often used as an uncountable noun (pieces of underlay), but a countable form exists (a thick rubber underlay).
常見錯誤
2. a surface lying directly below a top coat or covering, visible because the upper
a surface lying directly below a top coat or covering, visible because the upper layer is see-through, rubbed away, or partly taken off — for example, a previous shade of paint or a past wallpaper pattern showing through
Anthony saw a red underlay through the scratched paint on the old metal door.
Nora peeled back the top wallpaper and found a floral underlay from the 1970s.
The museum restored the faded tapestry and reinforced its original green silk underlay.
During renovations, the workers uncovered a blue paint underlay that no one knew existed.
- foundation layer
more general; can refer to structure rather than decoration
- base coat
specifically for paint layers, the first coat applied to a surface
文法句型
usually singular
用法筆記
This sense is primarily used in restoration, design, and archaeology contexts. The underlay is usually a previous decorative layer that has been covered but later becomes visible again due to wear or removal of the top layer.
常見錯誤
underlay — verb
- underlaypresent simple I / you / we / they
- underlays3rd person singular
- underlaying-ing form
- underlayedpast simple
1. to place a supporting layer of material beneath a surface or structure such as a
to place a supporting layer of material beneath a surface or structure such as a floor, path, or foundation so that it is stronger, more stable, or better protected from below
Tamar used crushed gravel to underlay the garden path and stop it from sinking.
pattern: underlay + noun + with + material
The builders will underlay the concrete slab with a waterproof membrane and sand.
Hana decided to underlay the wooden deck with concrete blocks for extra strength.
Noor learned to underlay a slate floor with cement and wire mesh at trade school.
A layer of geotextile fabric was used to underlay the gravel driveway on soft ground.
- underpin
more common for structures; can be both physical and abstract support
- support from below
descriptive phrase rather than a single word
文法句型
underlay + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Used mainly in construction manuals and DIY writing. The object is typically a horizontal surface (floor, path, foundation). The material that provides the support is introduced by 'with'.
常見錯誤
2. to raise the level of a printing plate, piece of furniture, or other object by p
to raise the level of a printing plate, piece of furniture, or other object by placing thin material such as paper, cardboard, or wooden shims beneath it, typically to achieve proper alignment or height
Ryo underlaid the printing plate with paper sheets to get the right pressure.
domain: printing — underlay a plate with paper
Camila used thin cardboard strips to underlay the wobbly table so it would stop rocking.
The printer carefully underlaid the type block with three layers of tissue paper.
Wooden shims were used to underlay the cabinet base so that the doors aligned perfectly.
- shim
verb meaning to fit a thin wedge under something to level it; more common in modern use
- raise slightly
descriptive phrase for the effect
文法句型
underlay + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Historically used in letterpress printing to raise type. In modern contexts, it appears mainly in woodworking, furniture repair, and precision levelling. The object must be a physical item that needs height adjustment, not a document or abstract concept.