Standard Lemma guide

overlie

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌoʊvɚˈlaɪ/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -aɪ

1

verb

Meaning 1

To lie over or upon

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The new sediment layers overlie the older rock formations.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To suffocate by lying upon

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

kill by lying on

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The sow overlay her piglets

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: overlay

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: kill

4

verb

Meaning 4

lie upon; lie on top of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the granite overlies the older rocks

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: lie

History

Etymology

From Middle English overlien, overliggen, equivalent to over- + lie (“to be reclined”). Compare West Frisian oerlizze, German überliegen, Danish overligge, Swedish överligga, Norwegian overligge.