spray
/spreɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /spreɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsprā/ (ame, mw)
spray — noun
- spraysingular
- spraysplural
1. tiny droplets of water or other liquid that float or drift through the air, like
tiny droplets of water or other liquid that float or drift through the air, like those blown from ocean waves or rising from a waterfall
Noor stood near the cliffs and felt the cold salt spray on her face.
natural phenomenon: salt spray from the sea
The crashing waves sent spray high into the air above the beach.
A fine spray from the waterfall soaked everyone on the hiking trail.
Hari wiped the salt spray off his sunglasses after the boat ride.
用法筆記
Unlike sense 2, this refers to naturally occurring drops in the air, not liquid from a container.
常見錯誤
2. a liquid released from a pressurized can or bottle as a fine mist of tiny drops,
a liquid released from a pressurized can or bottle as a fine mist of tiny drops, activated by pressing the nozzle, used for things such as paint, perfume, insect repellent, or medical treatments
Mizuki used a dry shampoo spray to freshen her hair before the meeting.
collocation: hair spray / dry shampoo spray
James bought a can of red spray paint to fix the scratched metal frame.
collocation: spray paint
The nurse gave Otis a nasal spray to help with his allergy symptoms.
Eleni packed insect repellent spray for the camping trip in the forest.
文法句型
a spray of [liquid]
spray [noun] (e.g. spray paint, hair spray)
用法筆記
Often used as a compound modifier before another noun: spray paint, hair spray, pepper spray, bug spray.
常見錯誤
3. a chemical liquid that is sent onto plants or crops in very small drops to prote
a chemical liquid that is sent onto plants or crops in very small drops to protect them from insects or disease
The farmer put on a mask before applying the crop spray to the wheat field.
collocation: crop spray
Rodrigo bought a new garden spray to treat the roses for aphids.
Nkechi checked the label on the plant spray before using it on her vegetables.
The garden centre sells an organic spray that keeps caterpillars off the cabbages.
用法筆記
As a countable noun, 'spray' can refer to either the chemical liquid or the device itself. Context tells you which: 'He bought a new spray for the roses' could mean either the chemical or the applicator.
常見錯誤
4. a short stem or twig that carries both its foliage and blossoms, typically cut f
a short stem or twig that carries both its foliage and blossoms, typically cut for display in a vase or as part of a bouquet
Dario placed a spray of lavender on the dining table for a fresh scent.
pattern: a spray of [flower type]
The florist arranged a beautiful spray of white orchids for the wedding.
Ari sent a small spray of wildflowers to thank his neighbour for the help.
The bride carried a delicate spray of ivy and baby's breath down the aisle.
文法句型
a spray of [flowers/foliage]
5. an object or bottle that forces a liquid out in a fine mist, such as a pump-acti
an object or bottle that forces a liquid out in a fine mist, such as a pump-action bottle or an aerosol can
Eitan filled the spray bottle with water and a drop of soap for cleaning.
collocation: spray bottle
The artist used an airbrush spray to create a smooth finish on the model.
Joshua adjusted the nozzle on the garden spray so it gave a fine mist.
Eleni bought a new perfume spray with a refillable glass bottle.
用法筆記
This sense overlaps closely with sense 2, but focuses on the physical device itself rather than the liquid product inside it. A 'spray' (device) can be used with different liquids.
常見錯誤
spray — verb
- spraypresent simple I / you / we / they
- sprays3rd person singular
- spraying-ing form
- sprayedpast simple
1. to push or send a liquid out in very small drops so that it covers a surface, an
to push or send a liquid out in very small drops so that it covers a surface, an area, or a person; can also mean to fire many bullets in a wide, sweeping way across an area or toward people
Otis sprayed sunscreen on his arms before going to the beach.
pattern: spray + [liquid] + on + [body part]
Mizuki sprayed the kitchen counter with a lemon-scented cleaner.
pattern: spray + [surface] + with + [liquid]
Water sprayed from the broken pipe and flooded the basement floor.
The gunman sprayed the room with bullets before the police arrived.
Nkechi sprayed her roses every morning to keep the pests away.
文法句型
spray + [liquid] + on/onto + [surface]
spray + [surface] + with + [liquid]
spray + [liquid] + at + [person/thing]
spray + someone/something + with + [bullets]
用法筆記
Two common syntactic patterns: (1) spray + liquid + on/onto/over + surface ('She sprayed perfume on her wrists'), and (2) spray + surface + with + liquid ('She sprayed her wrists with perfume'). Both are correct. The figurative use for firing a gun in a wide spread often appears as 'spray + someone/something + with bullets' or 'spray bullets across/into a room'.