spray

¹

[sprey]

noun

1. water or other liquid broken up into minute droplets and blown, ejected into, or falling through the air.

2. a jet of fine particles of liquid, as medicine, insecticide, paint, perfume, etc., discharged from an atomizer or other device for direct application to a surface.

3. a liquid to be discharged or applied in such a jet.

4. an apparatus or device for discharging such a liquid.

5. a quantity of small objects, flying or discharged through the air.

   a spray of shattered glass.

verb (used with object)

1. to scatter in the form of fine particles.

2. to apply as a spray.

   to spray an insecticide on plants.

3. to sprinkle or treat with a spray.

   to spray plants with insecticide.

4. to direct a spray of particles, missiles, etc., upon.

   to spray the mob with tear gas.

verb (used without object)

1. to scatter spray; discharge a spray.

   The hose sprayed over the flowers.

2. to issue as spray.

   The water sprayed from the hose.

spray

²

[sprey]

noun

1. a single, slender shoot, twig, or branch with its leaves, flowers, or berries.

   Synonyms: twig, sprig, shoot, branch

2. a group or bunch of cut flowers, leafy twigs, etc., arranged decoratively and for display, as in a vase.

   Synonyms: sprig, posy, nosegay, corsage, bouquet

3. an ornament having a similar form.

spray

¹

/ spreɪ /

noun

1. fine particles of a liquid

2. 1. a liquid, such as perfume, paint, etc, designed to be discharged from an aerosol or atomizer

      hair spray

   2. the aerosol or atomizer itself

3. a quantity of small objects flying through the air

   a spray of bullets

verb

1. to scatter (liquid) in the form of fine particles

2. to discharge (a liquid) from an aerosol or atomizer

3. (tr) to treat or bombard with a spray

   to spray the lawn

spray

²

/ spreɪ /

noun

1. a single slender shoot, twig, or branch that bears buds, leaves, flowers, or berries, either growing on or detached from a plant

2. a small decorative bouquet or corsage of flowers and foliage

3. a piece of jewellery designed to resemble a spray of flowers, leaves, etc

Other Word Forms

• sprayable adjective
• sprayability noun
• sprayer noun
• sprayless adjective
• spraylike adjective
• unsprayable adjective
• unsprayed adjective
• well-sprayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spray¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from earlier Dutch spraeyen; cognate with Middle High German spræjen

Origin of spray²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sprai(e); of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to sprag ¹ or sprig ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of spray¹

C17: from Middle Dutch sprāien; related to Middle High German spræjen

Origin of spray²

C13: of Germanic origin; compare Old English sprǣc young shoot, Old Norse sprek brittle wood, Old High German sprahhula splinter

Example Sentences

After getting out a few cans of spray paint, something drew him to the manhole cover in the street.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Australian health officials are promoting free flu vaccinations for children that don’t require an injection, but are administered by nasal spray.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The mood at the car wash had once been lighthearted, with employees joking as they sprayed down cars and polished windows.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

These bubbles rise rapidly, carrying the liquid upward and producing a sudden spray.

Read more on Science Daily

The likes of turmeric shots, ginger drinks and fancy nasal sprays do nothing to boost your immune system, according to Dr McCartney.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• drizzle 
• dust 
• scatter 
• shoot 
• shower 
• smear 
• splash 
• squirt