bray
5 synonyms for bray, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Of a donkey (or similar animal): to make its loud, harsh cry.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
hee-haw
comminute
Etymology
From Old French braire ("to cry out"), possibly ultimately related to words for making a loud noise.
Full origin of bray →Frequently asked questions
What does “bray” mean?
The word “bray” means of a donkey (or similar animal): to make its loud, harsh cry. In plain terms, a loud, harsh sound like a donkey's call — or making that kind of noise yourself.
How do you pronounce “bray”?
“Bray” is pronounced bray (/bɹeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bray” in a sentence?
Here is “bray” used in a sentence: “The donkey brayed loudly whenever a stranger approached.”
What part of speech is “bray”?
Depending on how it is used, “bray” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “bray” come from?
The word “bray” comes from Old French. From Old French braire ("to cry out"), possibly ultimately related to words for making a loud noise.
Is “bray” a common word?
“Bray” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bray” have?
“Bray” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of a donkey (or similar animal): to make its loud, harsh cry.
Related words
Ferrières-en-Bray
Gournay-en-Bray
