spree

¹

[ spree ]

noun

1. a lively frolic or outing.
2. a bout or spell of drinking to intoxication; binge; carousal.
3. a period, spell, or bout of indulgence, as of a particular wish, craving, or whim:

   an eating spree; a spending spree.

4. a period or outburst of extreme activity:

   the team’s scoring spree;

   no motive for his killing spree.

Spree

²

[ shprey ]

noun

1. a river in E Germany, flowing N through Berlin to the Havel River. 220 miles (354 km) long.

spree

/ spriː /

noun

1. a session of considerable overindulgence, esp in drinking, squandering money, etc
2. a romp

Word History and Origins

Origin of spree¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of spree¹

C19: perhaps changed from Scottish spreath plundered cattle, ultimately from Latin praeda booty

Example Sentences

In September, a man went on a stabbing spree at a supermarket in Shanghai, killing three people and injuring several others.

From BBC

Trump’s broader agenda of cutting taxes and regulations and bolstering domestic economic growth also triggered a buying spree across stocks, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 index hitting a record last week.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time, there was a spree of investment in celebrity-backed production companies, which gave lofty valuations to firms such as Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.

From Los Angeles Times

Regaining the White House would amount to a free pass for a presidency and post-presidency that have been nothing short of a crime spree.

From Los Angeles Times

They then went gambling, to parties and on shopping sprees, buying things like Rolex watches.

From BBC

Related Words

• binge
• celebration
• orgy
• rampage