Meaning of “overlay” in the English Dictionary

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"overlay" in English

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overlayverb [ T often passive ]

uk ​ /ˌəʊ.vəˈleɪ/ us ​ /ˌoʊ.vɚˈleɪ/ overlaid, overlaid

› to cover something with a layer of something:

The tiny carvings were overlaid with silver.
be overlaid with sth literary

› Something that is overlaid with something has a particular quality added to it that influences its character:

Her new novel is overlaid with political concerns.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

overlaynoun [ C ]

uk ​ /ˈəʊ.və.leɪ/ us ​ /ˈoʊ.vɚ.leɪ/

(Definition of “overlay” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"overlay" in Business English

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overlayverb [ T ]

uk ​ /ˌəʊvəˈleɪ/ us ​ overlaying, overlaid, overlaid

› to cover something with a layer of something else:

Sticky tracing paper overlaid on street maps lets travelers chart their course again and again.
overlay sth with sth By mapping the entire retail landscape and overlaying it with demographic information, the company is able to isolate store-by-store effects of television ad campaigns.

› to add information, data, ideas, etc. to existing information:

A computer model overlaid information about age, work experience, and educational attainment.

overlaynoun [ C ]

uk ​ /ˈəʊvəleɪ/ us ​

› something such as a transparent layer or image that can be put over something else, for example to add information or show a relationship between two things:

The printer is also able to add a watermark or overlay.

› information, data, ideas, etc. that are added to existing information:

The phone codes could be changed completely, or by an overlay that adds a second area code.

(Definition of “overlay” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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