1 C1 neutral
To cover, coat, or seal something with clay, especially in a craft, agricultural, or industrial context.
"The potter clayed up the mold before pressing in the design."
separable
clay up
C1 neutral separable transitive
To cover, seal, or treat something with clay.
In plain English
To put clay on something to cover it or seal it shut.
What does "clay up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To apply clay upward or all over something.
Actually means
To put clay on something to cover it or seal it shut.
Usage tip
A specialized or technical term used in pottery, agriculture, and winemaking. In winemaking, clay was historically used to seal amphoras. In agriculture, it describes soil management. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
Words that pair with "clay up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
soil pipe pot vessel mold jar
How to conjugate "clay up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clay up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clays up
he/she/it
Past simple
clayed up
yesterday
Past participle
clayed up
have + pp
-ing form
claying up
continuous
Hear "clay up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clay up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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