foray
/ˈfɒreɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɔːreɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfȯr-ˌā ˈfär- also fȯ-ˈrā or fə-ˈrā/ (ame, mw)
foray — noun
- foraysingular
- foraysplural
1. a short period spent trying an activity, subject, or job that lies outside your
a short period spent trying an activity, subject, or job that lies outside your usual routine, often as a first attempt to enter something new.
The photographer made a brief foray into filmmaking with a short documentary about street food in Bangkok.
foray into [field]: entering a new area of work
Sofia's first foray into gardening ended with a row of sunflowers that grew taller than her fence.
first foray into [activity]: someone's first attempt
After years of teaching maths, Omar made a foray into the world of software development and built his first app.
The company's foray into renewable energy was risky, but the board believed it was the right direction.
Ananya's brief foray into fashion design taught her that sewing was harder than it looked on social media.
- career
a long-term occupation, the opposite of a short experimental period
- specialisation
focused expertise in one area, unlike a brief exploration
文法句型
foray into [field/activity]
foray in [field]
用法筆記
Followed by 'into' when naming the new activity or field. Often modified by 'brief', 'first', or 'initial' to emphasise the tentative nature of the attempt.
常見錯誤
2. a short trip to a place, especially one made with a clear purpose such as explor
a short trip to a place, especially one made with a clear purpose such as exploring, shopping, or looking for something.
On Saturday morning the children made a foray into the forest to collect fallen chestnuts.
foray into [place]: a short trip with a purpose
Mateo and his grandmother made a quick foray to the night market for fresh mangoes and sticky rice.
During a foray to the antique shop, Camila discovered a hand-painted vase from the 1920s.
The librarian's early-morning foray to the book sale yielded a stack of rare poetry collections.
- expedition
suggests more planning and a longer journey than 'foray', often with a specific goal
- excursion
a short trip for pleasure, usually by a group; less purposeful than 'foray'
- outing
informal; a short trip for enjoyment, without the 'purposeful' nuance
- stay
a longer period spent in one place, opposite of a quick trip
文法句型
foray into [place]
foray to [place]
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (NEW ACTIVITY): this sense refers to a physical journey to a place, not an attempt at a new field. The purpose may be practical (shopping, exploring) rather than exploratory in a career sense.
常見錯誤
3. a brief, rapid attack carried out by soldiers who enter enemy territory, strike
a brief, rapid attack carried out by soldiers who enter enemy territory, strike their target, and pull back quickly.
The soldiers carried out a daring foray behind enemy lines to destroy a fuel depot before dawn.
foray behind enemy lines: a military raid into hostile territory
Wei's grandfather spoke once about a foray his unit made into the mountains during the war.
The general ordered a quick foray on the southern checkpoint to test the strength of the defence.
Enemy scouts reported the foray to headquarters, but the raiding party had already retreated.
文法句型
foray into [enemy territory]
foray on [position]
用法筆記
The military sense is the historical root of the word. In modern use it is less common than senses 1 and 2; you are more likely to encounter it in history books, war documentaries, or military writing.
foray — verb
- foraypresent simple I / you / we / they
- forays3rd person singular
- foraying-ing form
- forayedpast simple
1. to carry out a sudden, short military attack, especially by entering enemy land
to carry out a sudden, short military attack, especially by entering enemy land briefly and then leaving.
The rebel group forayed deep into the valley and struck the supply convoy at midnight.
forayed into [place]: attacked briefly with quick withdrawal
Fatima read that Viking warriors would foray coastal villages during the warm months.
A small patrol forayed across the river to check for enemy movements in the forest.
The cavalry forayed into the northern plains and burned three enemy watchtowers before retreating.
文法句型
foray [place]
foray into [place]
用法筆記
The verb is far rarer than the noun in modern English. When used, it usually appears in historical or military writing. The intransitive form requires 'into' before the target area.
常見錯誤
2. to steal goods or damage property by force during a raid; to pillage or plunder
to steal goods or damage property by force during a raid; to pillage or plunder a place.
The invaders forayed the village for grain and livestock before setting the barns on fire.
forayed [place] for [goods]: pillaging with a specific target
Historical records tell how the army forayed every town along the coast, taking gold and silver.
Kwame's research focused on medieval armies that forayed monasteries and stole precious manuscripts.
Pirates forayed the merchant ship, taking silk and spices before vanishing into the fog.
文法句型
foray [place] for [goods]
用法筆記
This is the rarest sense of 'foray', found mostly in historical accounts. In everyday English, 'pillage', 'plunder', or 'loot' are far more common.