1、作名词时，意为土壤：粘土，泥土，肉体，似黏土的东西。例句Clay is a plastic substance.黏土是可塑物质。clay复数时用clays，有黏土土质的意思。如：This will occur both in sands and clays.这在砂土地和黏土地带常常发生。2、用作人名；（英、法、西、意、葡）克莱。3、作动词时，意为“用黏土处理”。如：Bricks and dishes are made from various kinds of clay.砖和盘子由各种粘土制成。