spray
spray
Spray (noun) means a fine mist of liquid released into the air. Example: “A fine spray of water rose from the fountain and cooled us.”
noun
1
A fine mist of liquid released into the air.
"A fine spray of water rose from the fountain and cooled us."
"Sea spray drifted over the harbour wall."
"She felt the spray from the waterfall on her face."
2
A liquid product sold in a container designed to release it as a mist.
"She keeps a bottle of cleaning spray next to the kitchen sink."
"I bought a hair spray that holds my style all day."
"He grabbed a can of insect spray from under the sink."
3
A small decorative bunch of flowers or foliage.
"The bride carried a spray of pink roses and small green leaves."
"He pinned a tiny spray of blossom to her coat."
"A spray of white lilies sat on the coffin."
verb
1
To scatter a liquid across something in fine drops.
"The farmer sprayed his crops to protect them from insects."
"Children laughed as the hose sprayed water across the lawn."
"She sprayed the plants with water every morning."
How to use spray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fine mist of liquid, a product that dispenses one, or the act of scattering liquid in fine drops.
Common pairings
hair spray
spray paint
a spray of flowers
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Word forms
- Plural
- sprays
- Third person singular
- sprays
- Past tense
- sprayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A fine _____ of water rose from the fountain and cooled us.
Etymology
From Middle Dutch sprayen ("to spray, sprinkle, spread"), ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to sprinkle.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for spray
See all rhymes for spray →Frequently asked questions
What does “spray” mean?
The word “spray” means a fine mist of liquid released into the air. In plain terms, a fine mist of liquid, a product that dispenses one, or the act of scattering liquid in fine drops.
How do you pronounce “spray”?
“Spray” is pronounced spray (/spɹeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “spray” in a sentence?
Here is “spray” used in a sentence: “Sea spray drifted over the harbour wall.”
What part of speech is “spray”?
Depending on how it is used, “spray” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spray” come from?
The word “spray” comes from Proto-Germanic. From Middle Dutch sprayen ("to spray, sprinkle, spread"), ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to sprinkle.
Is “spray” a common word?
“Spray” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “spray” have?
“Spray” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fine mist of liquid released into the air.
What is the difference between "spray" and "mist"?
A "spray" is a jet of fine liquid droplets released into the air, often forced from a nozzle. A "mist" is a cloud of very fine droplets that drifts or hangs more gently, so sprays are usually directed while mist tends to settle softly.
What is the difference between "spray" and "aerosol"?
A "spray" is the fine mist of liquid itself, or a product designed to release it. An "aerosol" strictly means fine particles suspended in gas, and in everyday use a pressurised can, so a spray can also come from a simple pump bottle.
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