spray

noun \ ˈsprā \

Examples: spray in a Sentence

Definition of spray

1 : a usually flowering branch or shoot

2 : a decorative flat arrangement of flowers and foliage (as on a coffin)

3 : something (such as a jeweled pin) resembling a spray

Origin and Etymology of spray

Middle English, from Old English *spræg, spræc

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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spray

noun

Definition of spray

1 : water flying in small drops or particles blown from waves or thrown up by a waterfall

2 a : a jet of vapor or finely divided liquid

disinfectant sprays

b : a device (such as an atomizer or sprayer) by which a spray is dispersed or applied

c (1) : an application of a spray or by spraying

(2) : a substance (such as paint) so applied

Origin and Etymology of spray

obsolete English spray to sprinkle, from Middle Dutch sprayen

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First Known Use: 1621

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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spray

verb

Definition of spray

sprayed; spraying; sprays

transitive verb

1 : to project spray or something resembling spray on or into

spray the table

spraying the wall with bullets

2 : to disperse or apply as a spray

sprayed some perfume

intransitive verb

1 : to break up into spray

2 : to disperse or apply a spray

3 : to emit a stream or spray of urine

a cat may spray to mark its territory

—

sprayer

noun

See spray defined for English-language learners

Examples of spray in a Sentence

She sprayed herself with perfume.
The crops are sprayed monthly.
We were sprayed by water from the crashing waves.
The boys sprayed graffiti on the wall.
He sprayed the paint evenly over the surface.
She sprayed some perfume into the air.
The soda sprayed from the bottle.
The blood sprayed onto the wall.
They sprayed the crowd with bullets.

First Known Use of spray

1527

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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spray Synonyms

Synonyms

bestrew, dot, pepper, scatter, sow, sprinkle, strew;

Related Words

blanket, drizzle, dust;

stud;

dapple, fleck, speckle, stipple;

bespatter, spatter;

SPRAY Defined for English Language Learners

spray

verb

Definition of spray for English Language Learners

: to put a stream of small drops of liquid on (someone or something)
: to put (something) on a surface or into the air using a special container that produces a stream of small drops of liquid
: to flow out in a stream of very small drops

SPRAY Defined for Kids

spray

verb \ ˈsprā \

Definition of spray for Students

sprayed; spraying

1 : to scatter or let fall in a fine mist

She sprayed paint on the boards.

2 : to scatter fine mist on or into

I sprayed the boards with paint.

—

sprayer

noun

spray

noun

Definition of spray for Students

1 : liquid flying in fine drops like water blown from a wave

2 : a burst of fine mist

3 : a device for scattering fine drops of liquid or mist

spray

noun

Definition of spray for Students

: a green or flowering branch or a usually flat arrangement of these

Medical Dictionary

spray

noun \ ˈsprā \

medical Definition of spray

: a jet of vapor or finely divided liquid; specifically : a jet of fine medicated vapor used as an application to a diseased part or to charge the air of a room with a disinfectant or deodorant