splay

1 of 3

verb

ˈsplā How to pronounce splay (audio)
splayed; splaying; splays
Synonyms of splaynext

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
: slope, slant

splay

2 of 3

noun

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

splay

3 of 3

adjective

1
: turned outward
splay knees
2
: awkward, ungainly

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
When the smoke cleared on October 4, 2024, Beloozerov’s body lay splayed out on the pavement amid shards of glass from his car window. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 Seven-year-old Hailey Karch wandered around the seawall at Black Point Marina Wednesday morning where more than a dozen spiny lobster were splayed out on the cleaning table. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Noun
The brand is known for its FootShape toe boxes that encourage splay, and for ZeroDrop platforms — equal stack height from heel to forefoot — to encourage a natural running form. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 The fin on the fish’s back breaks the water first, then the delicate splay of its tail. — Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Adjective
True to the brand’s legacy of comfort-forward technology, the shoes have plenty of room across the forefoot, allowing toes to naturally splay. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 Our thoughts went back to the splay-foot tracks. — Bob Cary, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2025 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

Rhymes for splay

See All Rhymes for splay

Browse Nearby Words

splatterwork
splay
splayed arch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Splay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splay. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

splay

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

More from Merriam-Webster on splay

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for splay

Nglish: Translation of splay for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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