noun
Uncommon
spree
spree
Spree (noun) means a short burst of unrestrained activity, especially spending or indulgence. Example: “She went on a shopping spree after getting her bonus.”
noun
1
A short burst of unrestrained activity, especially spending or indulgence.
"She went on a shopping spree after getting her bonus."
"The team went on a scoring spree in the second half."
How to use spree
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short stretch of doing something enthusiastically and without holding back, usually spending, eating, or similar activity.
Common pairings
spending spree
crime spree
shopping spree
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Word forms
- Plural
- sprees
- Third person singular
- sprees
- Past tense
- spreed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She went on a shopping _____ after getting her bonus.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; possibly linked to the French word "esprit" (lively wit) or to older words meaning cattle raid or plunder.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for spree
See all rhymes for spree →Frequently asked questions
What does “spree” mean?
The word “spree” means a short burst of unrestrained activity, especially spending or indulgence. In plain terms, a short stretch of doing something enthusiastically and without holding back, usually spending, eating, or similar activity.
How do you pronounce “spree”?
“Spree” is pronounced spree (/spɹiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “spree” in a sentence?
Here is “spree” used in a sentence: “She went on a shopping spree after getting her bonus.”
What part of speech is “spree”?
“Spree” is a noun.
Where does the word “spree” come from?
The word “spree” comes from French. Origin uncertain; possibly linked to the French word "esprit" (lively wit) or to older words meaning cattle raid or plunder.
Is “spree” a common word?
“Spree” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a spree and a spending spree?
Spree on its own refers generally to any short burst of unrestrained activity or indulgence, while spending spree specifically narrows that meaning to a period of buying things impulsively or excessively. Other combinations, such as killing spree or crime spree, apply the same underlying sense to different negative activities.
Is spree usually used in a positive or negative sense?
Spree can be used both ways: a shopping or eating spree often implies harmless indulgence, while terms like crime spree or killing spree describe a burst of dangerous or violent behavior. The word itself is neutral, and its tone depends on the activity it modifies.
What kinds of activities commonly pair with the word spree?
Spree most often combines with words like shopping, spending, eating, drinking, and crime, all describing a short, intense, and typically unrestrained period of that activity. This pattern highlights the word's core sense of a brief burst of indulgence or action.
