spray
$ \mathrm{spray}^1 /spreɪ/
noun
1 ​uncountable, countable very small drops of a liquid that are sent through the air, for example by the wind
The advertisement showed a group of horsemen on the beach, galloping through the sea spray.
A cloud of fine spray came up from the waterfall.
(figurative) a spray of machine-gun bullets
Collocations
adjective
fine
light
salt
… of spray
cloud
plume
verb + spray
send
send up
throw
spray + verb
fly
fly up
preposition
spray of
​2 uncountable, countable (especially in compounds) a substance that is forced out of a container such as an aerosol, in very small drops
a can of insect spray (= used to kill insects)
body spray
a casserole dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray
SEE ALSO hairspray, pepper spray
Collocations
adjective
bug
fly
body
verb + spray
apply
use
spray + noun
bottle
can
paint
3 ​countable a device or container, for example an aerosol, that you use to apply liquid in fine drops
a throat spray
Use a spray to apply the weedkiller.
4 ​countable an act of applying liquid to something in very small drops
I gave the plants a quick spray.
5 ​countable a small branch of a tree or plant, with its leaves and flowers or berries, that you use for decoration
SYNONYM sprig
​6 countable an attractive arrangement of flowers or jewellery, that you wear
a spray of orchids
$ \mathrm{spray}^2 /spreɪ/
verb (sprays, sprayed, spraying)
1 ​transitive, intransitive to cover somebody/something with very small drops of a liquid that are forced out of a container or sent through the air
spray (something) (on/onto/over somebody/something)
Spray the conditioner onto your wet hair.
Champagne sprayed everywhere.
spray somebody/something (with something)
The crops are regularly sprayed with pesticide.
spray something + adj.
She's had the car sprayed blue.
TOPICS Farming C1
2 ​transitive, intransitive to cover somebo\dy/something with a lot of small things with a lot of force
spray somebody/something with something
The gunman sprayed the building with bullets.
+ adv./prep.
Pieces of glass sprayed all over the room.
​3 intransitive (especially of a male cat) to leave small amounts of urine to mark its own area
Word Origin
verb early 17th cent. (earlier as spry): related to Middle Dutch spra(e)yen ‘sprinkle’.