Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🪑 A surface decoration 🦷 A tooth cover 🖌️ To apply a layer
onlay

onlay

8.3
A decorative piece placed on the surface of furniture to add detail
  • noun
  • /ˈɒnleɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aplique
  • A decorative onlay can transform a plain cabinet into an elegant piece of furniture.

Examples

  • The craftsman glued a wooden onlay to the front of the drawer for added detail.

  • Restorers used a gold leaf onlay to repair the damaged frame of the painting.

  • The onlay is stunning.

  • Look at that onlay!

  • The craftsman glued a wooden onlay to the front of the drawer for added detail.

  • Restorers used a gold leaf onlay to repair the damaged frame of the painting.

  • A decorative onlay can transform a plain cabinet into an elegant piece of furniture.

Synonyms

overlay
vsonlay
11 4.8

A layer of material placed on something for protection or decoration

is a single applied decorative piece rather than a continuous covering
applique
vsonlay
2 6.2

A decorative piece of fabric sewn onto clothing or other fabric to make a design

is attached to surfaces like furniture rather than sewn onto fabric
encrustation
vsonlay
8.0

A decorative layer of material on a surface, like gold on walls

is a separate shaped piece rather than a coating that covers area

How Much

overlay
11 4.8
onlay
  • Specialized
8.3
spot
297 1.0

Surface Forms

onlay singular
onlays plural

Morphology

onlay = lay (opaque) = on + lay

The meaning of 'onlay' as a decorative or protective piece is not directly derivable from 'on' and 'lay' without specialized knowledge. [Postprocessing: moved 'on' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Onlay comes from the simple parts on- 'on' and lay 'to place', so picture a small piece 'laid on' the surface like a sticker or patch. That's why an onlay is a decorative or protective piece put on the surface of furniture.