clay

/kleɪ/
verb
  1. To cover, line, or treat with clay.
    • They clayed the tennis court to prepare it for the match.
    • The gardener clayed the bottom of the pond to make it watertight.
    • In traditional building, workers clayed the walls to seal them.
noun
  1. A type of soft, sticky earth that can be shaped when wet and becomes hard when baked or dried, used for making pottery, bricks, and tiles.
    • The potter shaped the wet clay into a beautiful vase on her wheel.
    • The ancient bricks were made from local clay and dried in the sun.
    • Children love to play with clay and make little animals and bowls.
  2. The hard, baked clay surface of a tennis court.
    • She prefers playing on clay because it is easier on her knees.
    • The tennis tournament was played on red clay, which made the ball bounce slower.
    • Rafael Nadal is famous for his incredible skill on clay courts.
  3. A substance used in modeling or sculpture, often synthetic or oil-based, that stays soft and does not dry out.
    • The artist used polymer clay to make tiny figurines for her dollhouse.
    • He bought a block of modeling clay to practice sculpting a human face.
    • The children used brightly colored clay to create flowers and stars.
What does "clay" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean