spraying
spraying — noun
1. very fine droplets of a liquid that float or move through the air, often produce
very fine droplets of a liquid that float or move through the air, often produced by waves, wind, or a fast-moving object
The waves crashed against the cliff and sent a fine spray of seawater across the path.
spray of + noun — what the spray is made of
Amara stood near the waterfall and felt the cold spray on her face and arms.
A light spray from the garden hose drifted sideways in the afternoon breeze.
The spray from the fountain covered the courtyard stones with a thin layer of water.
Dmitri wiped the salt spray off his glasses after the boat ride.
用法筆記
Uncountable; often appears in compounds such as 'sea spray', 'salt spray', or 'water spray'.
常見錯誤
2. a liquid kept inside a container under high pressure that comes out as a fine mi
a liquid kept inside a container under high pressure that comes out as a fine mist when you press a button on the container
Javier bought a can of spray to keep insects away from the tent.
a can of spray — count noun for the product
Fatima used a lavender room spray to make the bedroom smell fresh.
compound: room spray / body spray / hair spray
The doctor recommended a nasal spray for Sofia's allergy symptoms.
Wei shook the paint spray can well before using it on the fence.
Some sprays for cooking oil let you coat a pan with just a thin layer.
- aerosol
slightly more technical; emphasizes the pressurized container mechanism
常見錯誤
3. a chemical mixture that is spread onto plants or crops as a fine mist to protect
a chemical mixture that is spread onto plants or crops as a fine mist to protect them from pests or disease, or the device that applies this mixture
The farmer applied a pesticide spray to the apple trees before the insects arrived.
pesticide spray / herbicide spray — common agricultural compounds
Omar checked the spray for any blockages before starting the morning work.
the spray = the device (metonymy)
The neighbours complained when the crop spray drifted into their garden.
Kaito adjusted the nozzle on the spray so it would cover a wider area.
Ananya wore gloves and a mask while handling the chemical spray.
用法筆記
Can refer either to the liquid mixture itself (uncountable) or to the equipment that applies it (countable: 'a spray'). In farming contexts, 'the spray' often means the machine.
常見錯誤
4. a short piece of a plant stem that carries leaves and flowers, or an arrangement
a short piece of a plant stem that carries leaves and flowers, or an arrangement of such stems used as a decoration
Zara picked a small spray of lavender from the garden and put it in a vase.
spray of + plant name — common pattern
The florist arranged a delicate spray of white roses for the wedding cake.
Mei-Lin pinned a spray of silk flowers to her jacket for the ceremony.
A spray of cherry blossoms hung over the edge of the old wooden shelf.
用法筆記
This sense is specialized and less frequent than the other noun senses. It describes a natural or artificial sprig rather than a liquid.
常見錯誤
spraying — verb
- sprayingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- sprayings3rd person singular
- sprayinging-ing form
- sprayingedpast simple
1. to force a liquid out of a container or nozzle so that it breaks into tiny drops
to force a liquid out of a container or nozzle so that it breaks into tiny drops that cover an area, a surface, or an object
The gardener sprayed water onto the tomato plants every morning before sunrise.
spray + liquid + onto + surface
Amara sprayed the kitchen counter with a lemon cleaner and wiped it dry.
spray + surface + with + liquid
A worker sprayed bright orange paint across the old metal bridge railings.
Dmitri sprayed insect repellent on his arms before hiking through the forest.
The children sprayed each other with the garden hose on the hot summer day.
文法句型
spray + liquid + on/onto/over + surface
spray + surface + with + liquid
用法筆記
Commonly used with onto/on/over (focus on where the liquid goes) or with (focus on the liquid used). The direct object can be the liquid ('spray water') or the surface ('spray the plants').