tray
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A flat, shallow receptacle with a raised rim, used for carrying, holding, or displaying items.
Any shallow, open container; also, a removable storage unit in a computer (e.g., disc tray), or a tray-like structure in furniture or machinery.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically refers to a portable object designed to hold multiple items. Differs from a 'plate' which is for serving/eating a single portion, and from a 'dish' which is often deeper.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Tea tray' is slightly more common in British English. In computing, 'tray' is used identically (e.g., 'CD tray').
Connotations
Neutral in both. Can imply service (e.g., waiter's tray) or organisation (e.g., sorting tray).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[bring/serve/carry] + NP + [on/in] + a traya tray + [of] + NP (e.g., a tray of drinks)NP + [tray] (e.g., printer paper tray)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a silver platter (also 'tray')”
- “tray bake (UK: a type of dessert)”
- “in-tray/out-tray (for paperwork)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Please leave the documents in my in-tray.' Refers to a physical or digital pile of incoming work.
Academic
Used in lab contexts ('seed germination tray', 'specimen tray').
Everyday
'She carried the coffee cups on a tray.' 'I need an ice tray for the freezer.'
Technical
In computing: 'DVD tray'; in aviation: 'meal tray'; in electronics: 'cable management tray'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- To tray up the specimens for the experiment.
American English
- The system will tray the printed pages automatically.
adjective
British English
- Tray-bake recipes are popular for school fairs. (hyphenated compound adjective)
American English
- The tray-style packaging is more efficient.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The waiter brought our food on a big tray.
- Put your toys in the plastic tray.
- She carefully carried a tray of glasses into the garden.
- Remember to fill the ice tray and put it back in the freezer.
- The archaeological finds were laid out in a sorting tray for examination.
- My new printer has a multi-purpose tray that handles different paper sizes.
- The proposal moved from the 'in-tray' to the 'pending tray' as bureaucratic delays mounted.
- The nurse prepared a sterile instrument tray for the minor procedure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'gray'. A gray metal tray is easy to picture.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR ORGANISATION (e.g., 'in-tray' for tasks, 'tray' for sorted items).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'поднос' (correct) и 'лоток' (correct for technical contexts). Избегайте прямого перевода 'противень' только для 'baking tray'. 'Тарелка' (plate) — это другая посуда.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'plate' for a tray used to carry multiple items (e.g., 'He brought the drinks on a plate' - incorrect). Confusing 'baking tray' (flat) with 'baking dish' (deep).
Practice
Quiz
In a typical British office context, what does 'my in-tray is overflowing' metaphorically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A plate is typically for an individual portion of food to be eaten from. A tray is larger, shallower, and used to carry multiple items (plates, cups, etc.) or for specific functions (baking, holding objects).
Yes, but it's specialized. It means to place or process something on or in a tray (e.g., in labs, printing, or manufacturing).
It's common in both. In American English, 'cookie sheet' or 'baking sheet' is often used for a flat tray without high sides, while 'baking pan' is used for deeper ones.
A tray specifically designed or used for serving tea, often with a raised edge to prevent cups from sliding. More commonly referenced in British English contexts.
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