Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

splay

/spleɪ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.09 in modern English

Syllables
splay
IPA
/spleɪ/
10
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To spread, spread apart, or spread out (something); to expand.

Transitive verb

verb

To construct a bevel or slope on (something, such as the frame or jamb of a door or window); to bevel, to slant, to slope.

Transitive verb

verb

To rearrange (a splay tree) so that a desired element is placed at the root.

Transitive verb

verb

To dislocate (a body part such as a shoulder bone).

Transitive verb

verb

To unfurl or unroll (a banner or flag).

Obsolete; Transitive verb

verb

To have, or lie in, an oblique or slanted position.

Intransitive verb

verb

To spread out awkwardly; to sprawl.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

PIE word *dwís The verb is derived from Middle English splaien, splayen (“to display; to spread out, unfurl (a flag, etc.); (cooking) to cut open (a fish) lengthwise and lay it open; (figurative) to appear; to spread”), an aphetic form of Middle English displaien, displayen (“to display”): see display. The adjective and adverb are derived from the verb, or from splayfoot (noun) or splayfooted (adjective). The noun is derived from the verb.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *pleḱ-, splaien, displaien, *(s)peh₂-

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /spleɪ/
  • British English: /spleɪ/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce splay?
The recorded pronunciation is /spleɪ/.
What does splay mean?
To spread, spread apart, or spread out (something); to expand.
Where does splay come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce splay

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “splay”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/spleɪ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “splay”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “splay” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.