spray

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈsprā 

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

spray

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

spray

3 of 3

verb

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

3

: to shoot many bullets at (someone or something)

They sprayed the house with bullets.

intransitive verb

1

: to break up into spray

2

: to disperse or apply a spray

Soda sprayed from the bottle.

3

: to emit a stream or spray of urine

a cat may spray to mark its territory

sprayer noun

Synonyms of spray

Verb

• sprinkle
• pepper
• dot

Examples of spray in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Williamson said protection of county waterways is a major pillar of his campaign, highlighting the dangers of chemical sprays meant to control plants that end up damaging the ecosystem. — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

The water, which goes through a multistage filter, has to be regularly flushed out to remain hygienic; the scent dispensers need to be refilled; and the spray nozzles need to be unclogged. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

There, sprinklers sprayed water across the track ensuring that our route, a coned course with tight, tricky curves and acceleration alleys, would challenge me at every turn. — Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Typically prone to frizziness and puffiness the moment there’s a whiff of humidity in the air, Color Wow’s Extra Strength Dream Coat spray maintains sleekness like no other—a necessity to keep my hair shiny and smooth until my next wash day. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English *spræg, spræc

Noun (2)

obsolete English spray to sprinkle, from Middle Dutch sprayen

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing spray

• cooking spray
• hair spray
• pepper spray
• spray can
• spray gun
• spray-paint
• spray tan

Rhymes for spray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

spray

1 of 3 noun

ˈsprā 

: a usually flowering branch or shoot

spray

2 of 3 noun

1

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

2

a

: a burst of fine mist (as from an atomizer)

b

: a device (as an atomizer) for scattering a spray

spray

3 of 3 verb

1

: to scatter or apply as a spray

2

: to scatter spray on or into

sprayer noun

Medical Definition

spray

1 of 2 noun

ˈsprā 

: 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

spray

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to emit a stream or spray of urine

a cat may spray to mark its territory

Legal Definition

spray

transitive verb

: to disperse among a number of recipients

authorized to spray trust income

—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.