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
His long tusks were pale white; the bottoms of his feet splayed out wide under his skinny legs, the better to stabilize on sand. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 Behind a long counter, a cluster of chefs slice fish for nigiri, and splay more tiles of tuna and salmon over boxes of sushi rice for chirashi. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
The overall slimness of the shoe has a narrow toe box, not allowing the toes to splay, which can lead to hammer toes or aggravation of bunions. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

splay

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

More from Merriam-Webster on splay

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