bray: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowStandard, with a literary or humorous tone when applied to people.
Quick answer
What does “bray” mean?
The loud, harsh cry of a donkey or similar sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The loud, harsh cry of a donkey or similar sound.
To make a loud, harsh, unpleasant sound; to speak or laugh in a loud, harsh, grating manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use it primarily for the donkey's sound. The figurative use is understood but relatively rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations in figurative use.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both. Possibly slightly more common in British English due to greater exposure to donkeys in rural/nostalgic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bray” in a Sentence
[Subject] brays[Subject] brays [Adverb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bray” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The donkey in the next field would bray every morning at dawn.
- He brayed with laughter at his own joke, annoying everyone in the quiet pub.
American English
- The mule started to bray as we approached the barn.
- The politician brayed his demands into the microphone, deafening the audience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, possibly in literary analysis or zoology.
Everyday
Used literally for donkeys/mules. Figurative use is marked and derogatory.
Technical
Used in zoology/ethology to describe equine vocalisation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bray”
- Using 'bray' for any animal sound (it's specific to donkey/ass/mule).
- Misspelling as 'brey'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its core meaning is specific to donkeys, mules, and asses. Figuratively, it can describe any similarly loud, harsh, and unpleasant sound, especially a human laugh or voice.
No, it's a low-frequency word. Most English speakers know it, but they use it rarely, primarily in specific contexts involving donkeys or for deliberate, colourful insult.
"Bray" is both a verb and a noun. The noun form refers to the sound itself (e.g., "the bray of a donkey").
Yes, applying 'bray' to a person is strongly derogatory. It implies they are obnoxious, loud, foolish, and lacking in refinement, like a donkey.
The loud, harsh cry of a donkey or similar sound.
Bray is usually standard, with a literary or humorous tone when applied to people. in register.
Bray: in British English it is pronounced /breɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /breɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bray with laughter (to laugh very loudly and unpleasantly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A donkey's BRAY sounds like 'BR-AY!' – it's a BRash, loud sAYing.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IS ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (negative: loud, foolish, unrefined).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bray' correctly in a figurative sense?