How to Use inlay in a Sentence

inlay

1 of 2 verb
  • Our fabrics are inlaid in the resin, but they can be surfed on too.
    — Katy Schneider, The Cut, 18 Mar. 2018
  • Around the shield are inlaid marble in warm browns, creams and reds.
    — Dan Austin, Detroit Free Press, 1 Sep. 2017
  • And inlaid in fine gold were the initials Wm.
    — Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The roof of the quirky structure is made of road signs and the concrete walls are inlaid with coke bottles.
    — Kelly Kazek | [email protected], AL.com, 2 Oct. 2017
  • The tiny stone tables have inlaid brass with a lacquer finish — a vintage find.
    — Mimi Read, House Beautiful, 13 Jan. 2014
  • Each of the sections of road are formed from a 24-karat gold strip, cut and inlaid into the wood.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This dining room, the den and the library all have wood floors with designs inlaid around the perimeters.
    — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 27 July 2019
  • Other floors are marble inlaid with designs, light and dark green marble set into beige and white.
    — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 9 Dec. 2017
  • The ring is also inlaid with lacquer to represent the contrast of light and shadow on a wave.
    — Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, 26 June 2013
  • The golden spoon, which is inlaid with pearls, is the oldest item of regalia to be used in the ceremony.
    — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 6 May 2023
  • One of the most interesting interior aspects is what's inlaid in the hexagon tile floor.
    — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 9 July 2019
  • Silver bracelets of Queen Hetepheres inlaid with turquoise, lapis lazuli and carnelian in a chest covered with gold leaf.
    — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The large marble piece features tortoiseshell inlaid with metal.
    — Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 13 July 2023
  • The entry has inlaid flooring and a half-bathroom painted by a local muralist.
    — Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 30 Apr. 2023
  • Two ornamental copper discs inlaid with garnets rivetted the yoke to the arm.
    — Roff Smith, National Geographic, 8 May 2019
  • Over the years, students in his class have built everything from custom cornhole boards and rocking chairs to sideboards and inlaid wood tables.
    — Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2023
  • The dining table is inlaid with white cowbone and black wood to form piano keys, while each dining chair has an instrument embroidered on the back.
    — Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 2 June 2023
  • The water basin itself is inlaid with butterfly mosaics, while the surrounding glass walls and floors feature pill decals.
    — Christina Liao, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2019
  • Rice carved the surface of the bone into interweaving patterns of a turkey head, dogwood blossom and morels, then crushed and inlaid the turquoise.
    — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 19 Feb. 2020
  • The drawing room, with a coffered ceiling and a fireplace inlaid with dark green marble, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
    — Emily Nonko, WSJ, 29 Jan. 2020
  • The few pieces of furniture, including long, low, pale peach velvet sofas and coffee tables inlaid with glass-smooth discs of rich veined stone, are switched out often.
    — Nancy Hass, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2017
  • Beyond the portico entry, the double-height foyer’s grand staircase and inlaid marble floor are bathed in light that pours through a massive skylight.
    — Mark David, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2023
  • Over-the-top design—like, say, tables and globes inlaid with the sacred geometry of the universe—is used only to further the shop’s wow factor.
    — Cam Wolf, GQ, 30 Apr. 2018
  • Its defining moc-toe detail is accomplished by cording, a technique in which a twisted cotton cord is inlaid behind the leather to create a design.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 June 2023
  • Patina earrings accented with turquoise chips and Tibetan amber inlaid with brass; $15.
    — Vanessa Infanzon, charlotteobserver, 13 Apr. 2018
  • Far from being lost in meditation, the figure’s expression is alert and its gaze direct, its eyes perhaps once inlaid with rock crystal or gemstones.
    — Lee Lawrence, WSJ, 1 Jan. 2019
  • Each country is inlaid from a different stone, and the stones are individually cut and ground to interlocking, polished shapes.
    — Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Rothman whacks his croquet balls with a $500 maple mallet inlaid with brass and made by a custom croquet mallet maker in Palm Springs.
    — Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, 20 Oct. 2019
  • Still, no one failed to recognize the unusually high status indicated by the elaborate way the stone was carved and then inlaid with metal figures and borders.
    — Mark St. John Erickson, latimes.com, 20 May 2017
  • The extensive use of white marble inlaid with vibrant stones would become the hallmark of Shah Jahan’s many exquisite creations.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Apr. 2026

inlay

2 of 2 noun
  • The cabinet doors are decorated with inlays.
  • The door consisted of a steel frame with a large glass inlay.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, PEOPLE.com, 7 July 2022
  • Only the nails that once secured the inlays to the hilt can still be seen.
    — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 20 Sep. 2017
  • There’s also new brown trim to match that looks like fake wood with a silver inlay.
    — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
  • My ring is large, clunky, mostly black and has a cringey design on it with a shiny faux stone inlay.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2022
  • The bowties and circular inlays were all covered up by the paint.
    — Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Down to the gold-tone, woodwork, inlay and red velvet seats and red shag carpet.
    — Douglas Perry, cleveland.com, 22 May 2017
  • In these classes, students can make a hand drum, carve detailed scenes, paint, or add a stone inlay.
    — Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
  • The fireplace has a glass mosaic inlay of two dragons that form a heart.
    — Janet Eastman, OregonLive.com, 13 Mar. 2018
  • The family room boasts a hardwood floor that draws the eye with a thin mahogany inlay.
    — John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
  • French doors lead to a formal dining room with cherry inlays in the hardwoods.
    — Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2018
  • The stunning spiral case has a handmade newel post of walnut burl inlay.
    — J.a. Berger, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2017
  • The gown was hammered green satin, black lace inlays and a fringe of Dior threads, ribbons, and beads.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
  • It's made from wood and bone inlay in a chevron pattern inspired by herringbone prints.
    — Christina Montoya Fiedler, Good Housekeeping, 28 Dec. 2022
  • That means the inlays and windows were probably made around the time of the city’s founding.
    — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 31 Aug. 2018
  • Bone inlay furniture and handmade mirrors fill out the floor plan.
    — Jack Flemming, latimes.com, 9 June 2018
  • An intricate basket weave inlay is framed by a pure white body and single plush cushion.
    — Susan Hall Mahon, Southern Living, 29 June 2020
  • The rear end trades a chrome spear between the taillights for a gloss-black one with a small chrome inlay, and there are new wheel designs.
    — Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 1 Sep. 2020
  • Some come with private pools, others have a glass floor inlay, allowing guests to view the sea life below.
    — Karla Cripps, CNN, 20 Apr. 2022
  • Designed for all face shapes, these sleek shades sport a thin acetate front and a metal temple with an acetate inlay.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2022
  • The clean, white frame is accented with a gold top-bar inlay for an edgy twist on a classic style that’ll never look out of place.
    — Minna Shim, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 May 2018
  • Among the turquoise scrollwork and wrappings are inlays that depict morel mushrooms, oak leaves, and gobblers.
    — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 19 Feb. 2020
  • Modern inlays on decks outline the entire structure or highlight one area, such as around a dining space.
    — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2020
  • Those little pieces, called butterfly inlays, are meant to hold it together because of the splits in the wood.
    — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2020
  • The two-speed turntable offers a carbon tonearm as well as a metal control knob, faceplate, and inlay.
    — Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 10 Jan. 2024
  • This wicker serving tray looks especially luxe with its mother-of-pearl inlay that’s full of spring style.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Original Tiffany glass inlays across the home have been refurbished.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 May 2026
  • The entryway features a rug pattern tile inlay that matches the tray ceiling.
    — Dallas News, 23 Feb. 2020
  • It's made with real wood marquetry inlay, and each one even has a small heart engraved on the bottom (the creators say to rub it for luck).
    — Christina Montoya Fiedler, Good Housekeeping, 28 Dec. 2022
  • The inlays were designed by Bruno Trentecost and laser-cut in the East Coast.
    — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2020

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inlay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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