layer
gb/lˈeɪɚ/ us/lˈeɪɚ/
A2
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
a flat sheet of material
One thin part of something that is on top of or under another part.
Usage pattern:
a layer of [material/thing]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'layer' with 'level' — 'layer' usually refers to physical thickness, while 'level' refers to height or stage.
Synonyms
sheet (Often used for flat pieces of material, especially paper, metal, or cloth; may not imply stacking.)
|
coating (Suggests a covering applied to a surface, often for protection or decoration.)
Antonyms
core (The central or innermost part, opposite of an outer or surface layer.)
Collocations
thick layer
|thin layer
|protective layer
|outer layer
|ice layer
Themes
daily life
|science
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A thick layer of dust covered the furniture.
- The cake has a layer of cream in the middle.
- Ice formed a thin layer over the pond.
- She wore several layers of clothing to stay warm.
Learner examples
- There is a layer of snow on the ground.
- The bread has a layer of butter on it.
- I put a layer of paint on the wall.
- He wore a layer of wool under his jacket.
Verb
B1
action
2
to arrange in layers
To put things in flat parts, one on top of another.
Usage pattern:
to layer [something] [with something]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'put' instead of 'layer', which loses the sense of multiple thin parts stacked together.
Synonyms
stack (Implies piling items but not necessarily in thin, even sections like layers.)
|
spread (Can mean to apply a coating, but may not imply multiple stacked parts.)
Antonyms
separate (To take apart stacked or layered items.)
Collocations
layer cake
|layer ingredients
|layer clothes
Themes
daily life
|cooking
|crafts
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Layer the pasta sheets with sauce and cheese.
- She carefully layered her clothes to stay warm in winter.
- The artist layered different colors for depth.
Learner examples
- Layer the bread with cheese and ham.
- I layered my clothes because it is cold.
- He layered paint on the wall.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
a level in a system
One level in a system, group, or plan that is separate from other levels.
Usage pattern:
a layer of [system/organization]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'step' — a 'layer' suggests a simultaneous structural part, whereas a 'step' suggests sequence.
Synonyms
tier (Often used for levels in systems or hierarchies; interchangeable in many contexts.)
|
level (A more general term for height or position; may not imply structural separation.)
Antonyms
whole (Refers to the complete system without subdivision into levels.)
Collocations
security layer
|application layer
|management layer
Themes
technology
|business
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The software has a security layer to protect data.
- Management added another layer to the approval process.
- The atmosphere has several layers.
Learner examples
- The cake has three layers.
- The Earth has many layers.
- The company has many layers of management.
Grammar
Dictionary form
layer
IPA
GB/lˈeɪɚ/
US/lˈeɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
lay - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lay)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: layer
- Plural: layers
Verb
- Base: layer
- 3rd Person Singular: layers
- Present Participle: layering
- Past: layered
Word family
Forms
layers
noun
layering
verb
layered
verb
Advanced or less common
multilayered
adjective
Expressions
layer upon layer
1/lˈeɪɚ əpˈɑn lˈeɪɚ/
fixed phrase
many layers stacked repeatedly
Many layers on top of each other.
Examples
- Layer upon layer of paint covered the wall.
- There were layer upon layer of blankets on the bed.
multi-layered
1/mˈʌlti lˈeɪɚd/
fixed phrase
having many layers or levels
Having more than one layer or level.
Examples
- The novel is multi-layered, with many themes and storylines.
- She wore a multi-layered skirt for the festival.
peel back the layers
1/pˈil bˈæk ðə lˈeɪɚz/
idiom
remove layers to reveal inside
To take away outer parts to see what is inside, sometimes used to mean finding out the truth about something.
Examples
- The journalist peeled back the layers of the story to find the truth.
- Peel back the layers of the onion before chopping it.