1
an overlay on/over sth
作名词时，overlay 常用 on/over 引出被覆盖的物体。
The diagram has a transparent overlay on the original photo.
这张图表在原照片上有一层透明的叠影。
覆盖物；叠加图层
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
覆盖物；叠加图层
a thing that lies or is placed over something else, such as a covering or an image placed on top of another image
The diagram has a transparent overlay on the original photo.
这张图表在原照片上有一层透明的叠影。
要叠加在另一图像上的图像；叠影或透明正片。
An image to be overlaid on another; a superimposition or diapositive.
贴在压印衬垫上的纸片,用于加强特定位置的压印效果。
A piece of paper pasted upon the tympan sheet to improve the impression by making it stronger at a particular place.
高于预期或合理范围的赔率；有利赔率。
Odds which are set higher than expected or warranted. Favorable odds.
根据以往表现赔率过高的马。
A horse going off at higher odds than it appears to warrant, based on its past performances.
The map app lets you add an overlay of traffic information over the street view.
这款地图应用让你可以在街景上添加一个交通信息叠加层。
She used a transparent overlay to compare the two design sketches.
她用一张透明叠加层来比较这两幅设计草图。
The editor can display a grid overlay to help you align the elements.
编辑器可以显示一个网格叠加层，帮助你对齐元素。
作名词时，overlay 常用 on/over 引出被覆盖的物体。
The diagram has a transparent overlay on the original photo.
这张图表在原照片上有一层透明的叠影。
for 表示用途，例如键盘贴纸、印刷垫纸等专用覆盖物。
This overlay for the keyboard shows the shortcuts in Chinese.
这块用于键盘的贴纸用中文标出了快捷键。
overlay 也常用作动词 add 的宾语，to 后接被覆盖的对象。
You can add an overlay to the video to show the subtitle.
你可以给视频添加一个覆盖层来显示字幕。
Not this
There is an overlay of the screen.
Use this
There is an overlay on the screen.
overlay 作可数名词表示“覆盖层”时，搭配的介词是 on/over，表示覆盖在某物表面上；用 of 会变成“屏幕的覆盖层”，造成语义偏差。
Not this
This overlays are too dark.
Use this
These overlays are too dark.
this 用于单数名词，不能修饰复数形式 overlays；复数可数名词前要用 these，保持“指示词-名词”数量一致。
Not this
Overlay is useful for protecting the keyboard.
Use this
An overlay is useful for protecting the keyboard.
overlay 是可数名词，单数形式前需要不定冠词 an；不加冠词会误把 overlay 当作不可数名词或抽象概念，不符合英语单数可数名词的用法。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
图像叠加
You can add an image overlay to highlight a detail in your photo.
你可以在照片上添加图像叠加来突出细节。
数据叠加层
The map app has a data overlay showing current traffic conditions.
这个地图应用有一个显示当前交通状况的数据叠加层。
键盘覆盖层
A keyboard overlay labels the keys for a different language.
键盘覆盖层为不同语言标出按键。
透明覆盖层
Use a transparent overlay to protect the printed page.
用透明覆盖层保护打印的页面。
Use overlay naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想 over（在…上）+ lay（放置）：把一层东西铺在另一样上面，就是 overlay（叠加/覆盖）。
语域：mixed 常见场景：computing / design、printing、gambling / horse racing、keyboard customization 作名词时，overlay 多用于技术或专业语境：计算机/设计领域指叠加图层或透明片，印刷中指加强压印效果的垫纸，博彩/赛马中则是行话（高赔率、冷门马），日常也指键盘贴纸。整体在口语和正式场合都可能出现，需根据具体领域判断。
play、clay、delay、display、weigh 与 overlay 同韵，词尾都读 /eɪ/；注意 overly 拼写与 overlay 相近，但读音是 /ˈəʊvəli/，并不押韵。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.