spray
1 Americannoun
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water or other liquid broken up into minute droplets and blown, ejected into, or falling through the air.
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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.
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a liquid to be discharged or applied in such a jet.
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an apparatus or device for discharging such a liquid.
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a quantity of small objects, flying or discharged through the air.
a spray of shattered glass.
verb (used with object)
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to scatter in the form of fine particles.
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to apply as a spray.
to spray an insecticide on plants.
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to sprinkle or treat with a spray.
to spray plants with insecticide.
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to direct a spray of particles, missiles, etc., upon.
to spray the mob with tear gas.
verb (used without object)
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to scatter spray; discharge a spray.
The hose sprayed over the flowers.
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to issue as spray.
The water sprayed from the hose.
noun
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a single, slender shoot, twig, or branch with its leaves, flowers, or berries.
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a group or bunch of cut flowers, leafy twigs, etc., arranged decoratively and for display, as in a vase.
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an ornament having a similar form.
noun
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fine particles of a liquid
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a liquid, such as perfume, paint, etc, designed to be discharged from an aerosol or atomizer
hair spray
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the aerosol or atomizer itself
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a quantity of small objects flying through the air
a spray of bullets
verb
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to scatter (liquid) in the form of fine particles
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to discharge (a liquid) from an aerosol or atomizer
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(tr) to treat or bombard with a spray
to spray the lawn
noun
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a single slender shoot, twig, or branch that bears buds, leaves, flowers, or berries, either growing on or detached from a plant
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a small decorative bouquet or corsage of flowers and foliage
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a piece of jewellery designed to resemble a spray of flowers, leaves, etc
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Whether the substance was tear gas — which, incidentally, is a powder, not a gas — or pepper spray is unclear.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
“I don’t think it’s about the wine pairings” and knowing how much cologne to spray, said Anirudh Pai, 27, a founder turned investor who attended the class.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
There are other forms of transdermal delivery systems: Transdermal estrogen can be applied as a daily spray, gel or vaginal ring that is good for three months.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026
Patricia Salt, 76, of Brentford, west London, had spray foam insulation installed in 2006 to make her house more energy efficient.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
Torak wiped the spray from his face, and wondered how anything in the Forest could be this angry.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
