spray
1water or other liquid broken up into minute droplets and blown, ejected into, or falling through the air.
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.
a liquid to be discharged or applied in such a jet.
an apparatus or device for discharging such a liquid.
a quantity of small objects, flying or discharged through the air: a spray of shattered glass.
to scatter in the form of fine particles.
to apply as a spray: to spray an insecticide on plants.
to sprinkle or treat with a spray: to spray plants with insecticide.
to direct a spray of particles, missiles, etc., upon: to spray the mob with tear gas.
to scatter spray; discharge a spray: The hose sprayed over the flowers.
to issue as spray: The water sprayed from the hose.
Origin of spray
1Other words from spray
- spray·a·ble, adjective
- spray·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- sprayer, noun
- sprayless, adjective
- spraylike, adjective
- un·spray·a·ble, adjective
- un·sprayed, adjective
- well-sprayed, adjective
Words Nearby spray
Other definitions for spray (2 of 2)
a single, slender shoot, twig, or branch with its leaves, flowers, or berries.
a group or bunch of cut flowers, leafy twigs, etc., arranged decoratively and for display, as in a vase.
an ornament having a similar form.
Origin of spray
2Other words for spray
Other words from spray
- spraylike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use spray in a sentence
We have sprinkled our favorite 20 throughout this article, both from that list and from the body of popular lore that has arisen around the miracle spray.
If you ever run out of Got2B glued spray, don’t ever ever use this unless you want your hair to be like that forever.
She used Gorilla Glue as hairspray. After 15 washes and a trip to the ER, it still won’t budge. | Lateshia Beachum | February 8, 2021 | Washington PostAlso, as with any spray paint, you need to set up a workspace where overspray won’t be a problem.
Nothing says adventure quite like a gear list that calls for bear spray.
In Big Sky country, a pandemic-era fly-fishing getaway | Carl Fincke | January 21, 2021 | Washington PostThis can make the difference between having a successful crop or not, without resorting to sprays.
Fresh vegetables in the middle of winter? It’s possible, even in colder climes. | Adrian Higgins | January 20, 2021 | Washington Post
He would shake a chilled Coke, and then spray the soda into a cold glass of milk.
Neither Mr. Gelb nor the unions claimed responsibility for the spray painted vulgarities, and the case remains unsolved.
Although some groups, through the thick fog of tear gas, pepper spray and smoke that hung over the city, still lingered.
Frat Culture Clashes With Riot Police at Keene, N.H., Pumpkin Festival | Melanie Plenda | October 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe was captivated by footage of her escape through the hazy entryway of the supermarket, which was obscured by pepper spray.
Westgate's Chilling Security Video Reveals Shopping Mall Bloodbath | Nina Strochlic | September 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe compressions sent the nurses scrambling for face masks and yellow gowns to protect themselves from the red spray.
Real Life Lazarus: When Patients Rise From the Dead | Sandeep Jauhar | August 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile you were admiring the long roll of the wave, a sudden spray would be dashed over you, and make you catch your breath!
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayWhen patients are very nervous, it is well to spray the throat with cocain solution.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddHere, being suddenly drenched by spray from one of the engines, Sam and Tommy made for the shelter of a chimney-stack.
The Garret and the Garden | R.M. BallantyneIt is not an easy matter to sit up in a gale of wind, with freezing spray, and sometimes green seas, sweeping over one!
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. BallantyneThen the heavens lower, so that the clouds course along the earth, and rain and spray drift far inland.
Skipper Worse | Alexander Lange Kielland
British Dictionary definitions for spray (1 of 2)
/ (spreɪ) /
fine particles of a liquid
a liquid, such as perfume, paint, etc, designed to be discharged from an aerosol or atomizer: hair spray
the aerosol or atomizer itself
a quantity of small objects flying through the air: a spray of bullets
to scatter (liquid) in the form of fine particles
to discharge (a liquid) from an aerosol or atomizer
(tr) to treat or bombard with a spray: to spray the lawn
Origin of spray
1Derived forms of spray
- sprayer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for spray (2 of 2)
/ (spreɪ) /
a single slender shoot, twig, or branch that bears buds, leaves, flowers, or berries, either growing on or detached from a plant
a small decorative bouquet or corsage of flowers and foliage
a piece of jewellery designed to resemble a spray of flowers, leaves, etc
Origin of spray
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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