Finesentence

Tray Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tray

tray

🇺🇸 /ˈtɹeɪ/ · 🇬🇧 /tɹˈeɪ/

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

serving food

A flat, shallow container with a raised edge used for carrying or holding food, drinks, or other items.

Synonyms

dish, plate, platter.

Examples of usage

  • I carried the drinks to the table on a tray.
  • She brought out a tray of cookies for us to enjoy.
Context #2 | Noun

office

A small, flat surface on a desk used for holding papers, pens, and other office supplies.

Synonyms

organizer, shelf, stand.

Examples of usage

  • He organized his pens and papers neatly on the tray on his desk.
  • The tray on her desk was overflowing with sticky notes and documents.
Context #3 | Verb

serve

To serve or carry something on a tray.

Synonyms

carry, deliver, serve.

Examples of usage

  • The waiter trayed the drinks to the customers.
  • She trayed the appetizers around the room during the party.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “tray”

Tray is a 1-syllable noun and verb. It is pronounced /ˈtɹeɪ/ in American English and /tɹˈeɪ/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 3 meanings, 9 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #7,723 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'tray'

The word 'tray' originated from the Old English word 'trea', which meant a wooden vessel or dish. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to a flat, shallow container with a raised edge for carrying or holding items. Trays have been used for centuries in various cultures for serving food, drinks, or organizing workspaces. The modern concept of a tray as a functional and decorative item has made it a versatile tool in homes, offices, and restaurants.

Rhymes

Tray rhymes with a, baa, bey, bouvier, cabernet, chez, croquet and dj.

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Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,723 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.