spray

¹ American  

[sprey] / spreɪ /

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.

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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 American  

[sprey] / spreɪ /

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.

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spray ¹ British  

/ 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

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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. )

Explanation

A spray is a jet of small drops of water or liquid vapor. It describes the medicine you use to make your nose less dry or the air freshener you use to make your bathroom less smelly. Though spray has had several incarnations, it is helpful to remember the German root sprühen — “to sparkle” or “to drizzle.” Spray has more than one sense, and can be a verb or a noun: If a whale were to spray you with water, you would be covered in spray. The word can also describe a group of small objects or pieces sent in the air, as in the spray of broken glass caused by your foul ball hitting a window.

Example Sentences

The company’s BPL-003 nasal spray for depression is nearing Phase 3 trials.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

It uses a robotic arm to spray material onto a foot-shaped mold and make a sock-like upper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

In testing, the artificial saliva spray reduced bacterial activity and slowed tooth demineralization -- the process by which teeth lose calcium and phosphate, making them more vulnerable to cavities.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

CS spray is a man-made incapacitating gas - exposure to it causes a burning sensation in the eyes and watering.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Or to hose it down with an antibacterial spray.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Related Words

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