splay

1 of 3

verb

splayed; splaying; splays

transitive verb

1
: to cause to spread outward
2
: to make oblique : bevel

intransitive verb

1
: to extend apart or outward especially in an awkward manner
2

splay

2 of 3

noun

1
: a slope or bevel especially of the sides of a door or window
2

splay

3 of 3

adjective

1
: turned outward
splay knees
2

Examples of splay in a Sentence

Verb He sat with his legs splayed apart. She splayed her fingers to show off her manicure. His fingers splayed out over the table as he steadied himself.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In the back storeroom of the Olivera Egg Ranch in San Jose, Ed Olivera Jr., 76, gazed at miniature sepia and grey-tone photographs in an album splayed open on a long steel table. Jia H. Jung, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 The clip starts with Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas splayed out on an ice rink as several onlookers check on him. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
The wide toe box for foot splay and limited structure allows the foot to naturally strengthen. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Her legs splay, tilt and leap readily into pratfall action. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for splay

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English splaien "to unfurl, spread out, spread-eagle, split (a fish) lengthwise and lay open," aphetic form of displaien "to unfurl (a banner), spread (the arms), display entry 1"

Noun

derivative of splay entry 1

Adjective

derivative of splay entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of splay was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Splay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splay. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

splay

verb
ˈsplā
: to spread out or apart
a colt with legs splayed out

More from Merriam-Webster on splay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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