verb
Uncommon
bray
bray
Bray (verb) means of a donkey (or similar animal): to make its loud, harsh cry. Example: “The donkey brayed loudly whenever a stranger approached.”
verb
1
Of a donkey (or similar animal): to make its loud, harsh cry.
"The donkey brayed loudly whenever a stranger approached."
2
To speak or laugh in a loud, harsh, grating way.
"He brayed with laughter at his own joke."
noun
1
The harsh cry of a donkey, or any similarly grating sound.
"The bray of the mule echoed across the valley."
How to use bray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loud, harsh sound like a donkey's call — or making that kind of noise yourself.
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Word forms
- Plural
- brays
- Third person singular
- brays
- Past tense
- brayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The donkey _____ loudly whenever a stranger approached.
Etymology
From Old French braire ("to cry out"), possibly ultimately related to words for making a loud noise.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bray
See all rhymes for 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.
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