Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

deray

noun
Save Word
de·​ray | \ diˈrā \
plural -s

Definition of deray

now dialectal British
: disorder, disturbance, confusion specifically : disorderly merriment

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for deray

Middle English, from Old French desrei, from desreer, to disturb, put in disorder, probably alteration of desareer

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about deray

Statistics for deray

Cite this Entry

“Deray.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deray. Accessed 22 January 2020.

Comments on deray

What made you want to look up deray? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

nurture

Listen to the pronounciation of nurture

to help to grow, develop, or succeed

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Intact Latin Quiz

  • roman tablet
  • What did focus mean in Latin?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games