Bray: meaning, definitions and examples

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bray

 

[ breษช ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

animal sound

To bray means to make the characteristic loud, harsh cry of a donkey. This sound is often associated with the animal's typical behavior, particularly when it is agitated, excited, or calling to others. Bray can also metaphorically refer to a loud or harsh speech that lacks subtlety or refinement. The term is most commonly used in the context of describing the vocalization of donkeys, and it can imply a degree of annoyance or disruption when used in relation to human behavior.

Synonyms

bark, hoot, neigh

Examples of usage

  • The donkey began to bray loudly in the field.
  • She couldn't help but bray with laughter at his joke.
  • The braying of the donkey could be heard from a distance.
  • His speech was so unrefined, it felt like he was braying rather than speaking.
Context #2 | Noun

animal sound

A bray refers to the sound made by a donkey. It is a distinct noise that often carries over long distances, especially in rural areas. The bray is typically loud and can signal various emotions, from fear to excitement. Besides its literal meaning, the term can also be used figuratively to describe any loud and grating sound made by a person or an object.

Synonyms

call, cry, squawk

Examples of usage

  • The bray of the donkey echoed through the valley.
  • He let out a bray of laughter that startled everyone.
  • The annoying bray of the horn disrupted the quiet night.

Translations

Translations of the word "bray" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น berrar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เคงเคพ เค•เฅ€ เค†เคตเคพเคœเคผ เคฆเฅ‡เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช wiehern

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengaum

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั€ะตะฒั–ะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ryk

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ„ใชใชใ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท brailler

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ relinchar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท iฤŸrenรง ses รงฤฑkarmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ธŒ๋ ˆ์ด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตูˆุช ุงู„ุฃุชุงู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hล™ebฤรญm

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ bray

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ฉดๅซๅฃฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ brujati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hryggir

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะปะฐาฃะดะฐั‚ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒ•แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qฤฑลŸqฤฑrmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ rebuznar

Etymology

The word 'bray' comes from the Middle English 'brayen', which is believed to have roots in Old French 'braier', meaning 'to bray or make a noise like a donkey'. Old French is linked to the Vulgar Latin *bracare, which is likely imitative of the sounds made by the animal. The sound itself, much like other onomatopoeic words, is designed to mimic the actual sound being described. The use of the word in English dates back to the 14th century, and the spelling has remained relatively consistent over the centuries. In addition to its primary meaning, it has also taken on metaphorical connotations over time, used to describe any loud, harsh, or obnoxious noise made by a person or machine, often conveying a sense of annoyance.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,238 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.