Definition

1. Noun:

   • A short period of doing a particular activity, especially shopping or drinking, in an excessive, unrestrained, and often enjoyable way: A "spree" refers to a brief, intense bout of indulgence in an activity, typically characterized by a lack of restraint.
   • A lively, extravagant outing or session: It can also denote a period of energetic and often extravagant merrymaking or celebration.

2. Verb:

   • To engage in an activity, especially shopping or merrymaking, in a unrestrained, excessive manner: To "spree" means to take part in such a brief period of indulgence.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She went on a shopping spree and bought three new dresses.
  • After their final exams, the students went on a celebratory spree.
  • The city experienced a spree of burglaries last month.
• Verb (less common):
  • They decided to spree through the luxury boutiques for the afternoon.

Advanced Usage

• "to go on a spree" / "to be on a spree": This is the most common collocation, meaning to engage in a period of unrestrained activity.
  • He went on a spending spree with his bonus.
• "killing spree": A specific, serious idiom referring to a series of murders committed in a short period.
  • The film's villain went on a killing spree.

Variants and Related Words

• Spreeing (gerund/participle): The act of engaging in a spree.
  • Their spreeing left them with empty wallets.
• Shopping spree (noun phrase): An intense, unrestrained period of shopping.
• Drinking spree (noun phrase): An intense, unrestrained period of drinking alcohol.
• Crime spree (noun phrase): A series of crimes committed in quick succession.

Synonyms

• Binge: A period of excessive indulgence, especially in eating or drinking.
• Fling: A short period of enjoyment or wild behavior.
• Bout: A short period of intense activity of a specified kind.
• Orgy: A period of excessive indulgence in a specified activity (can have negative connotations).

Related Phrasal Verbs/Verb Phrases

• Go on a spree: As detailed above, this is the standard verb phrase used with the noun form.

Related Idioms

• On a spree: Describing the state of being engaged in such activity.
  • The tourists were on a spree, visiting every souvenir shop in town.

Noun

1. a brief indulgence of your impulses

Verb

1. engage without restraint in an activity and indulge, as when shopping