layer

American  

[lay-er] / ˈleɪ ər /

noun

• layers
  plural

1. a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface.

   a layer of soot on the windowsill; two layers of paint.

2. something lying over or under something else; a level or tier.

   There can be multiple layers of metaphor in a single poem.

3. a bed; stratum.

   alternating layers of basalt and sandstone.

4. a person or thing that lays (often used in combination): a bricklayer.

   a carpet layer;

   a bricklayer.

5. a hen kept for egg production.

6. one of several items of clothing worn one on top of the other.

7. Horticulture.

   1. a shoot or twig that is induced to root while still attached to the living stock, as by bending and covering with soil.

   2. a plant so propagated.

8. Ropemaking. a machine for laying rope or cable.

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verb (used with object)

• layers,
  present (3rd person singular)
• layered,
  past participle,  past
• layering
  present participle

1. to make a layer of.

2. to form or arrange in layers.

3. to arrange or wear (clothing) in layers.

   You can layer this vest over a blouse or sweater.

4. to cut (hair) in overlapping layers of different lengths.

   My hairdresser insisted on layering my hair at my last visit—I rather like it this way.

5. Horticulture. to propagate by layering.

verb (used without object)

• layers,
  present (3rd person singular)
• layered,
  past participle,  past
• layering
  present participle

1. to separate into or form layers.

2. (of a garment) to permit of wearing in layers; be used in layering.

   Frilly blouses don't layer well.

layer British  

/ ˈleɪə /

noun

1. a thickness of some homogeneous substance, such as a stratum or a coating on a surface

2. one of four or more levels of vegetation defined in ecological studies: the ground or moss layer, the field or herb layer, the shrub layer, and one or more tree layers

3. a laying hen

4. horticulture

   1. a shoot or branch rooted during layering

   2. a plant produced as a result of layering

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verb

1. to form or make a layer of (something)

2. to take root or cause to take root by layering

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interlayer
  noun
• interlayer
  verb (used with object)
• layerable
  adjective
• nonlayered
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• layers
  plural

Participles

• layering
  present
• layered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• layer
  simple
• layers
  simple
• have layered
  perfect
• has layered
  perfect
• am layering
  progressive
• are layering
  progressive
• is layering
  progressive
• have been layering
  perfect progressive
• has been layering
  perfect progressive

Past

• layered
  simple
• had layered
  perfect
• was layering
  progressive
• were layering
  progressive
• had been layering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will layer
  simple
• will have layered
  perfect
• will be layering
  progressive
• will have been layering
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of layer

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English leyer, legger; see origin at lay ¹, -er ¹

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Explanation

The noun layer describes a thin piece that's stacked on other thin pieces, like a layer of noodles in a lasagna dish. You can also apply a layer of paint to make your wall color more vivid. Layer can also be used figuratively to describe an abstract thickness or barrier. Celebrities are known to surround themselves with managers, agents, stylists, and friends — forming a layer between them and the prying public. Layer can also be a verb. You can layer your bed with blankets on a cold night, as a layer of ice forms on the sidewalks and streets outside.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

layer layers layered layering

Gibney also profiled Holmes in his 2019 work “The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley,” which adds another layer of coincidental symmetry: Fielder’s film hits theaters on Oct.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026

"This layer is where the breakdown of cellulose and other natural polymers, such as cutin - a plant-based polyester - takes place."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

But his little quip came saddled with a layer of uncomfortable truth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The expansive grounds also provide an added layer of privacy, shielding the property from its surrounding neighborhood.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

In Ishinomaki, the Okawa Elementary School lay beneath a layer of thick, black mud that was several feet deep.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

This moment of peril illustrates the layers making up the modern battlefield.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

The second part of its name, amberina, honors both the amber found in the rock layers where the fossil originated and the female name Amberina.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

Since July, hundreds of experts and soldiers have been working to unearth layers of remains at the park, aided by bulldozers, excavators and water pumps but often sifting through the mud by hand.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

“But as you might share your recommendations, she might bring some additional concerns or additional layers of context.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

There’s something hidden there that looks as though it’s wrapped in layers of that plastic wrap stuff my mom uses to cover leftover food in the fridge.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone

“The pull to be close to one’s support system in retirement, the warm feelings of family, but also layered in is the need to lend a hand for childcare and a growing concern of eldercare.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

Its three dimensional structure creates a barrier that keeps insects from reaching the plants, while the layered material still allows sunlight, rain, and air to pass through.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026

Scanlon would have everything from thin, shiny shellac to sturdier "Builder In A Bottle" gel manicures layered onto her nails every other week without fail.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

With her layered hair and polished style, she looked the part of a suburban mom.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Fear was layered on fear across her face.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

“Software tends to work by building a stable layer that people can build on top of, and layering on top of that, and repeating and repeating and repeating,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

The unusual layering suggested that two separate events had occurred in rapid succession.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026

Traditional fabrication relies on ultraprecision machinery to squeeze more circuits onto a single chip; Huawei is trying to improve computing efficiency through techniques such as layering circuits within a single chip.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Challenged with creating movements that speak to character and story, layering a bold, physical narrative over a written one, this season’s Emmy-nominated choreographers made mesmerizing scenes come to life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

“Let me,” says the doctor, layering cotton strips to stop the seeping blood.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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