foray

American  

[fawr-ey, for-ey] / ˈfɔr eɪ, ˈfɒr eɪ /

noun

1. a quick raid, usually for the purpose of taking plunder.

   Vikings made a foray on the port.

   Synonyms:

   sortie, incursion, invasion, assault, attack

2. a quick, sudden attack.

   The defenders made a foray outside the walls.

3. an initial venture.

   a successful foray into politics.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a raid; pillage; maraud.

2. to invade or make one's way, as for profit or adventure.

   foreign industries foraying into U.S. markets.

verb (used with object)

1. to ravage in search of plunder; pillage.

foray British  

/ ˈfɒreɪ /

noun

1. a short raid or incursion

2. a first attempt or new undertaking

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verb

1. to raid or ravage (a town, district, etc)

Other Word Forms

• forayer noun

Etymology

Origin of foray

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English forraien, apparently by back formation from forrayour, forreour, forrier, from Old French forrier, fourrier, equivalent to fo(u)rr(er), derivative of fuerre “provender” ( forage ) + -ier -ier ²

Explanation

Foray means brief excursion. If you're in the army, that's a literal excursion into enemy territory. For the rest of us, it means trying something out. "My foray into rugby ended with my spending a week in the hospital." This word derives from the Latin fuerre 'straw', which led into Old French as fourager 'forage,' or search for food. Think of soldiers stealing food from the enemy as maybe how this word first came to be used. Even if that is historically inaccurate, your foray into amateur word-sleuthing will help you remember this word.

Example Sentences

China made a rare diplomatic foray in the Iran war, nudging Tehran to agree to sit down for talks with the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

But its upcoming public debut signals its foray into a market where the use cases for the technology are gradually emerging.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

My first foray into the world of spiced yogurts took place inside the local biryani joint just a few miles north of my Maryland hometown.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

Eight years after her foray into Vegas showbiz, her movie career kicked off unexpectedly during a visit to Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Gawaine and Mordred came straight to Camelot from their foray among the Old Ones, but Agravaine did not come with them.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• inroad
• invasion
• raid