clayey
|clay-ey|
B2
/ˈkleɪ.i/
clay-like
Etymology
Etymology Information
'clayey' originates from English, formed from 'clay' + the adjectival suffix '-ey', where '-ey' meant 'characterized by' or 'having the quality of'.
Historical Evolution
'clay' comes from Old English 'clǣg' (and ultimately Proto-Germanic *klai-); 'clayey' developed in Modern English by adding the suffix '-ey' to 'clay' to form an adjective.
Meaning Changes
Initially it meant 'of or pertaining to clay', but over time it has come to mean 'resembling, containing, or characterized by clay'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
resembling, containing, or consisting of clay; having the qualities of clay (e.g., sticky, fine-grained).
The riverbank was clayey and difficult to dig.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/15 03:52