splay
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to spread out, expand, or extend.
-
to form with an oblique angle; make slanting; bevel.
-
to make with a splay or splays.
-
to disjoin; dislocate.
verb (used without object)
-
to have an oblique or slanting direction.
-
to spread or flare.
noun
adjective
-
spread out; wide and flat; turned outward.
-
clumsy or awkward.
-
oblique or awry.
adjective
-
spread out; broad and flat
-
turned outwards in an awkward manner
verb
-
to spread out; turn out or expand
-
(tr) vet science to dislocate (a joint)
noun
-
a surface of a wall that forms an oblique angle to the main flat surfaces, esp at a doorway or window opening
-
enlargement
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
splaysimple
-
splayssimple
-
have splayedperfect
-
has splayedperfect
-
am splayingprogressive
-
are splayingprogressive
-
is splayingprogressive
-
have been splayingperfect progressive
-
has been splayingperfect progressive
Past
-
splayedsimple
-
had splayedperfect
-
was splayingprogressive
-
were splayingprogressive
-
had been splayingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of splay
1300–50; Middle English; aphetic form of display
Explanation
To splay is to spread out or widen. Peacocks splay their feathers when they want to show off. Basketball players splay their fingers around a basketball to get a better grip. The word splay is often seen as splayed. If you collapse on your bed with your arms and legs stretched out, you are splayed out on the bed. Fingers, toes, arms, and legs can all splay. Something that has a splayed shape is called a splay, like an architectural detail around a window or door. Splay comes from the verb display, originally "unfurl, unfold, or spread out."
Vocabulary lists containing splay
The Hobbit
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
One of Us Is Lying
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Ravine" by Graham Salisbury
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Splay out the work product as if it speaks for itself; cover the sausage instead of how it gets made.
From Slate • Oct. 2, 2025
Splay faults exist at subduction zones bordering Ecuador, Cascadia, Chile, and Japan, suggesting they may contribute to tsunami hazards at those locations as well.
From Science Daily • May 20, 2024
Then to the relief of every one, Sir Chichester Splay entered the hall.
From The Summons by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
Lady Splay had been a little surprised; so persistently had Stella avoided anything in the shape of a party.
From The Summons by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
"So you know one another!" said Lady Splay.
From The Summons by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
