layer
A layer is a single thickness, sheet, or level of a material that covers a surface or is placed between other things. It can refer to physical substances like paint and geological strata, or abstract levels of complexity and meaning.
Examples
3 of 5I usually wear several layers of clothing in the winter to stay warm.
I wear many pieces of clothes on top of each other during winter for warmth.
The investigation revealed a complex layer of bureaucracy within the organization.
The study showed many complicated levels of administrative rules in the company.
Just add a thick layer of frosting to the cake once it cools down.
Put a lot of icing on top of the cake when it is not hot anymore.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Layer Cake'—it has several horizontal parts of cake and cream stacked on top of each other.
Quick Quiz
The archaeologist carefully removed the top ____ of soil to find the ancient artifacts.
Correct!
The correct answer is: layer
Examples
I usually wear several layers of clothing in the winter to stay warm.
everydayI wear many pieces of clothes on top of each other during winter for warmth.
The investigation revealed a complex layer of bureaucracy within the organization.
formalThe study showed many complicated levels of administrative rules in the company.
Just add a thick layer of frosting to the cake once it cools down.
informalPut a lot of icing on top of the cake when it is not hot anymore.
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the gradual accumulation of layers of mineral particles.
academicRocks are made when levels of minerals build up slowly over time.
We need to remove a layer of middle management to improve communication flow.
businessWe should eliminate one level of managers to help people talk to each other better.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
layer upon layer
many levels stacked on each other
peel back the layers
to investigate something deeply to find the hidden truth
the next layer
the following level of detail or substance
Often Confused With
A 'layer' is a level of material, whereas a 'liar' is a person who tells falsehoods.
While similar, 'tier' usually refers to levels in a hierarchy or rows of seats, whereas 'layer' usually refers to physical thickness.
Usage Notes
Use 'layer' when describing things that are stacked or spread out over one another. It is very common in cooking, geology, and clothing contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'level' when 'layer' is more appropriate for physical materials (e.g., 'a level of dust' should be 'a layer of dust').
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Layer Cake'—it has several horizontal parts of cake and cream stacked on top of each other.
Word Origin
Derived from Middle English 'leier', originally referring to a person who lays stones or bricks in a specific order.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In culinary traditions, layering is a key concept for dishes like lasagna, tiramisu, and trifle.
Quick Quiz
The archaeologist carefully removed the top ____ of soil to find the ancient artifacts.
Correct!
The correct answer is: layer
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
univolvacy
C1The characteristic or state of an organism, particularly an insect, having only one generation or brood per year. It describes a life cycle that is completed once within a twelve-month period, often dictated by seasonal changes.
postrogible
C1A postrogible is a formal administrative item, decision, or legal clause that is officially designated as subject to subsequent questioning or secondary verification. It acts as a placeholder in a process, allowing a project to move forward while acknowledging that a specific element requires future scrutiny.
overferfy
C1To excessively complicate, refine, or add unnecessary details to a task, object, or process, ultimately diminishing its original effectiveness or clarity. It describes the act of over-engineering something to the point of absurdity or inefficiency.
trisalvhood
C1Describing a state or system that possesses a triple-layered security or salvage protocol to prevent total loss. It characterizes an object, process, or entity that is thrice-protected against failure, ensuring maximum durability and resilience.
exmovize
C1A formal noun referring to the outward manifestation or physical externalization of internal energy, emotion, or kinetic impulses. It is specifically used to describe the transition from a latent state to a visible, active movement.
circumpetious
C1To seek a goal or target by taking an indirect, circular, or roundabout path rather than a direct one. It implies a strategic or cautious approach to reaching an objective by navigating around obstacles or avoiding direct confrontation.
undertactant
C1A term used in behavioral psychology and verbal behavior analysis to describe an individual who exhibits a deficit in 'tacting,' which is the ability to label or name stimuli in the environment. It refers to a speaker who provides significantly fewer verbal descriptions of non-verbal stimuli than expected for their developmental level.
hypercryptity
C1To encrypt or obscure information to an extreme, multi-layered degree, often exceeding standard security requirements. This verb describes the act of applying redundant cryptographic protections to ensure that data remains inaccessible even under intense scrutiny.
homosolship
C1A state or quality of being united by a single, shared purpose or essence within a group, particularly where individual differences are subsumed by a collective identity. It characterizes the bond formed through consistent, singular dedication to a common goal or philosophy.
subsumful
C1To completely integrate or incorporate a specific element, concept, or entity into a larger, more comprehensive framework or system. It describes the process of making something a full part of a bigger whole so that it becomes indistinguishable from the main structure.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free