Overlap vs. Overlay

Overlap vs. Overlay — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Overlap and Overlay

Overlapverb

To extend over and partly cover something.

The mouse-mat overlapped the edge of the desk.

Overlayverb

(transitive) To lay, spread, or apply something over or across; cover.

Overlapverb

To have an area, range, character or function in common.

The two maps overlapped at the east and west edges.

Overlayverb

To overwhelm; to press excessively upon.

Overlapverb

(mathematics) Of sets: to have some elements in common.

The set (all men) overlaps the set (vegetarians).

Overlayverb

To lie over (someone, especially a child) in order to smother it; to suffocate.

ADVERTISEMENT

Overlapverb

(genetics) To have some similar nucleotide sequences.

Overlayverb

To put an overlay on.

Overlapnoun

Something that overlaps or is overlapped

Overlaynoun

(printing) A piece of paper pasted upon the tympan sheet to improve the impression by making it stronger at a particular place.

Overlapnoun

(rugby) a situation in the game where an attacking line has more players in it than the defensive line coming to meet it. The attacking side may exploit the overlap by using their superior numbers to break the opposition's defensive line. If attackers outnumber defenders by more than one player this is often termed a two man overlap or three man overlap, etc. If the attacking side fails to break through usually due to poor execution, they are said to waste an overlap.

Overlaynoun

(betting) Odds which are set higher than expected or warranted. Favorable odds.

ADVERTISEMENT

Overlapnoun

The payment of a spouse's or other dependant's annuity benefits concurrently with the member's benefits, on death of the member during the guarantee period.

Overlaynoun

(horse racing) A horse going off at higher odds than it appears to warrant, based on its past performances.

Overlapnoun

a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena;

there was no overlap between their proposals

Overlaynoun

A decal attached to a computer keyboard to relabel the keys.

Overlapnoun

the property of partial coincidence in time

Overlaynoun

(programming) A block of program code that is loaded over something previously loaded, so as to replace the functionality.

Overlapnoun

a flap that lies over another part;

the lap of the shingles should be at least ten inches

Overlaynoun

(internet) A pop-up covering an existing part of the display.

Overlapverb

coincide partially or wholly;

Our vacations overlap

Overlaynoun

(Scotland) A cravat.

Overlapverb

extend over and cover a part of;

The roofs of the houses overlap in this crowded city

Overlaynoun

protective covering consisting, for example, of a layer of boards applied to the studs and joists of a building to strengthen it and serve as a foundation for a weatherproof exterior

Overlayverb

put something on top of something else;

cover the meat with a lot of gravy

Overlayverb

kill by lying on;

The sow overlay her piglets