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. )

Example Sentences

And a skunk once sprayed him as he walked by the side of his house.

From Los Angeles Times

He found it difficult to breathe after standing close to where it had been sprayed, and he and the 15-20 colleagues who tested it with him could not easily wash it off.

From BBC

In the high north, they pose an additional threat: Sea spray carried at high wind speeds can freeze upon contact with a ship and, if allowed to build up, capsize it.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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