How Do You Spell BRAY?

Pronunciation: [bɹˈe͡ɪ] (IPA)

The word "bray" is spelled as /breɪ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is a voiced bilabial consonant, "b". The second sound is a diphthong consisting of "e" and "ɪ", which represents the sound "ay" in English. This word can be pronounced in different ways depending on the context. It can mean the harsh and loud cry of a donkey or to crush or grind something into a powder. Regardless of the meaning, the spelling of "bray" always stays the same.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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BRAY Meaning and Definition

  1. Bray is a verb that commonly refers to the loud, harsh, and often unmelodious sound that donkeys make. It can also describe the peculiar sound made by certain animals, such as mules or small donkeys, which is a combination of a neigh and a bray. This sound is characterized by its grating quality, often likened to a loud, persistent, and unpleasing noise.

    Additionally, bray can be used metaphorically to describe the loud, unpleasant sound made by a human when they speak or laugh in a coarse or raucous manner. It may indicate a lack of refinement or tact in speech or behavior, often associated with being loud and attention-seeking.

    This term can also be employed figuratively to describe someone who speaks or laughs in an obnoxious manner, displaying impoliteness or a lack of awareness of their effect on others. In this context, bray implies an insensitivity to social cues and norms, akin to the loud and grating vocalizations of a donkey.

    Overall, bray is a versatile verb used to describe the harsh, piercing, and unrefined sound made by an array of animals, and it can extend to describing individuals who display loud, obnoxious, and socially unaware behavior in their speech or laughter.

  2. • The cry of an ass; any similar loud harsh sound.
    • To make a loud harsh noise like an ass.
    • To rub or grind down in a mortar; to pound; to grind small.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for BRAY

Etymology of BRAY

The word "bray" has a complex etymology. It originated from the Old French word "braire", which meant "to cry, to weep" and was possibly derived from the sound of a donkey's call. This Old French word itself had earlier roots in the Gallo-Romance language, where it appeared as "bragire" with a similar meaning.

The origin of the word can be traced back further to the Latin word "bragire", which also meant "to bray" or "to bellow". However, it is uncertain how the Latin word itself developed. Some theories suggest that it may have been onomatopoeic, imitating the sound made by a donkey or another noisy animal. Others propose that it might have come from the Greek word "baragizein", meaning "to babble" or "to chatter".

Similar spelling words for BRAY

Plural form of BRAY is BRAYS

Conjugate verb Bray

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have brayed
you would have brayed
he/she/it would have brayed
we would have brayed
they would have brayed

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been braying
you would have been braying
he/she/it would have been braying
we would have been braying
they would have been braying

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would bray
you would bray
he/she/it would bray
we would bray
they would bray

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be braying
you would be braying
he/she/it would be braying
we would be braying
they would be braying

FUTURE

I will bray
you will bray
he/she/it will bray
we will bray
they will bray

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be braying
you will be braying
he/she/it will be braying
we will be braying
they will be braying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have brayed
you will have brayed
he/she/it will have brayed
we will have brayed
they will have brayed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been braying
you will have been braying
he/she/it will have been braying
we will have been braying
they will have been braying

IMPERATIVE

we Let's bray

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was braying
you were braying
he/she/it was braying
we were braying
they were braying

PAST PARTICIPLE

brayed

PAST PERFECT

I had brayed
you had brayed
he/she/it had brayed
we had brayed
they had brayed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been braying
you had been braying
he/she/it had been braying
we had been braying
they had been braying

PRESENT

I bray
you bray
he/she/it brays
we bray
they bray

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am braying
you are braying
he/she/it is braying
we are braying
they are braying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

braying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have brayed
you have brayed
he/she/it has brayed
we have brayed
they have brayed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been braying
you have been braying
he/she/it has been braying
we have been braying
they have been braying

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it bray

SIMPLE PAST

I brayed
you brayed
he/she/it brayed
we brayed
they brayed

Infographic

Correct spelling for bray
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