Definition

1. Noun:

   • A jet of vapor or water in small drops: A fine mist of liquid particles suspended in the air or propelled through it.
   • A dispenser that turns a liquid into a fine mist: A device (like a can or bottle) used to apply a liquid as a fine shower of droplets.
   • A flower arrangement of a single branch or shoot: A decorative stem bearing flowers and leaves.
   • A quantity of small objects flying through the air: A scattered shower or volley of many small things moving together.

2. Verb:

   • To cover by spraying with a liquid: To apply a liquid in a fine mist over a surface.
   • To scatter in a mass or jet of droplets: To propel or disperse a liquid as fine particles.
   • To be discharged in sprays of liquid: (For a liquid) to come out in a scattered shower of droplets.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The ocean spray felt cool on my face. (The mist from the waves felt cool.)
  • She used a spray to apply the perfume. (She used a dispenser to apply the perfume.)
  • The florist created a simple spray of roses. (The florist made an arrangement with a single rose stem.)
  • The gunman fired a spray of bullets. (The gunman fired a shower of bullets.)

• Verb:

  • I need to spray the plants with insecticide. (I need to apply insecticide to the plants using a mist.)
  • The hose began to spray water everywhere. (The hose scattered water in droplets.)
  • Water sprayed from the broken pipe. (Water was discharged in jets from the pipe.)

Advanced Usage

• "Spray can": A pressurized canister that releases its contents as a spray.

  • He used a spray can to paint the graffiti.

• "Spray tan": A cosmetic treatment where a fine mist of tanning solution is applied to the skin.

  • She got a spray tan before her vacation.

Variants and Related Words

• Sprayer (n): A person or device that sprays.

  • The farmer used a crop sprayer.

• Sprayable (adj): Capable of being sprayed.

  • This is a sprayable adhesive.

Synonyms

• Noun: Mist, shower, aerosol, spritz, branch, volley.
• Verb: Mist, sprinkle, spritz, shower, disperse.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Spray on: To apply by spraying.

  • Spray on the waterproofing coating evenly.

• Spray out: To be ejected or escape as a spray.

  • Oil sprayed out from the leak.

Related Idioms

• A spray of gunfire: A burst of bullets fired in a scattered pattern.

  • The soldiers advanced under a spray of gunfire.

• To be caught in the spray: To be hit or affected by a shower of droplets.

  • We got caught in the spray from the fountain.

Noun

1. a jet of vapor
2. water in small drops in the atmosphere; blown from waves or thrown up by a waterfall
3. a dispenser that turns a liquid (such as perfume) into a fine mist
4. flower arrangement consisting of a single branch or shoot bearing flowers and foliage
5. a quantity of small objects flying through the air
   • a spray of bullets
6. a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying

Verb

1. cover by spraying with a liquid
   • spray the wall with paint
2. scatter in a mass or jet of droplets
   • spray water on someone
   • spray paint on the wall
3. be discharged in sprays of liquid
   • Water sprayed all over the floor