inlay

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

verb /ɪnˈleɪ/ noun /ˈɪn.leɪ/ See IPA manual

Freq #59118

Meanings

1

verb
to decorate a surface by setting pieces of another material into it

US /ɪnˈleɪ/ UK /ɪnˈleɪ/

Craftworkers inlay the dark wood with thin strips of brass.
2

noun
decoration made by setting pieces of wood, metal, stone, or another material into a surface

US /ˈɪn.leɪ/ UK /ˈɪn.leɪ/

The cabinet's ivory inlay formed a pattern of leaves and flowers.
3

noun
a solid filling shaped outside the mouth and fitted into a prepared cavity in a tooth

US /ˈɪn.leɪ/ UK /ˈɪn.leɪ/

The dentist recommended a ceramic inlay instead of a large filling.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to decorate a surface by... insert set embed

2 noun · decoration made by setting... inset marquetry

3 noun · a solid filling shaped... dental restoration

Opposites

remove extract

Word family

Forms inlaid

Derived forms inlaidinlayer

Related forms marquetryintarsiaveneer

Etymology

Formed in English from in + lay. The verb describes laying one material within another; the noun developed for the inserted decoration and later for a fitted dental restoration.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# inlay

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ɪnˈleɪ/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪnˈleɪ/
**Frequency rank:** 59118

## Meanings
1. to decorate a surface by setting pieces of another material into it
2. decoration made by setting pieces of wood, metal, stone, or another material into a surface
3. a solid filling shaped outside the mouth and fitted into a prepared cavity in a tooth

## Examples
- Craftworkers inlay the dark wood with thin strips of brass.
- The cabinet's ivory inlay formed a pattern of leaves and flowers.
- The dentist recommended a ceramic inlay instead of a large filling.

## Synonyms
- insert
- embed
- inset
- marquetry

## Antonyms
- remove
- extract

## Derived Forms
- inlaid
- inlayer

## Related Forms
- marquetry
- intarsia
- veneer

## Etymology
Formed in English from in + lay. The verb describes laying one material within another; the noun developed for the inserted decoration and later for a fitted dental restoration.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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