layer

An amount of material spread over a surface.

• A layer of dust covered the table.
• Apply two thin layers of paint.
• The lake has a thick layer of ice.

How to use it: a layer of something (A layer of snow covered the roof.)

Similar words: coating, covering

Common phrases: layer of dust, thin layer, protective layer

One piece of clothing worn over or under another to help keep you warm or comfortable.

• Wear an extra layer today.
• I removed a layer when the sun came out.
• Several light layers will keep you warm on the hike.

Common phrases: base layer, outer layer, extra layer

A band of material lying above or below other bands, especially in earth or food.

• The cake has three layers.
• A dark layer of rock lies beneath the sand.
• Scientists studied the oldest layers of soil.

Similar words: stratum

Common phrases: rock layer, layer of cream, soil layer

A group of people at the same level of power in an organization.

• The company removed a management layer.
• Decisions pass through several layers of authority.
• Too many layers of management slow down our work.

Similar words: level, tier

Common phrases: management layer, layer of management, additional layer

Someone who puts materials such as bricks, tiles, or carpets into position.

• We hired a carpet layer.
• The tile layer finished the bathroom floor.
• Experienced layers can fit the material neatly around corners.

Common phrases: carpet layer, tile layer, brick layer

A female chicken kept because it produces eggs.

• This hen is a good layer.
• The farmer keeps fifty layers.
• Young layers need suitable food to produce healthy eggs.

Similar words: laying hen

Common phrases: good layer, commercial layer, flock of layers

To put things on top of each other in separate amounts or pieces.

• Layer the vegetables in the dish.
• She layered cream between the cake pieces.
• You can layer your clothes for extra warmth.

How to use it: layer something with something (Layer the pasta with tomato sauce.)

Similar words: stack

Common phrases: layer something with something, layer the vegetables, layer your clothes