Dictionary.com

underlay

[ verb uhn-der-ley; noun uhn-der-ley ]
/ verb ˌʌn dərˈleɪ; noun ˈʌn dərˌleɪ /
Save This Word!

verb (used with object), un·der·laid, un·der·lay·ing.
to lay under or beneath.
to provide with something laid underneath; raise or support with something laid underneath: The manufacturer underlays the chrome finish with a zinc coating.
to extend across the bottom of.
noun
something underlaid.
Printing. a piece or pieces of paper put under type or cuts to bring them to the proper height for printing.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of underlay

before 900; Middle English underleyen,Old English underlecgan;see under-, lay1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use underlay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for underlay

underlay

verb (ˌʌndəˈleɪ) -lays, -laying or -laid (tr)
to place (something) under or beneath
to support by something laid beneath
to achieve the correct printing pressure all over (a forme block) or to bring (a block) up to type height by adding material, such as paper, to the appropriate areas beneath it
noun (ˈʌndəˌleɪ)
a layer, lining, support, etc, laid underneath something else
printing material, such as paper, used to underlay a forme or block
felt, rubber, etc, laid beneath a carpet to increase insulation and resilience
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK