Word
bray
US/ˈbɹeɪ/
UK/bɹˈeɪ/
Definition
v. to make a loud, harsh sound like a donkey. You use this word when someone laughs or shouts in a way that sounds rough and unpleasant.
v. to produce a loud, harsh, and typically prolonged vocal sound, characteristic of a donkey or mule. Often used figuratively to describe a grating human laugh or shout.
Examples
“The donkey began to bray at the passing car.”
“He tried to speak, but his nervous laughter turned into a loud bray that silenced the room.”
“The politician's speech was met not with applause, but with a collective bray of derision from the opposition benches, echoing off the stone walls of the chamber.”
Examples
simple
“The donkey began to bray at the passing car.”
contextual
“He tried to speak, but his nervous laughter turned into a loud bray that silenced the room.”
complex
“The politician's speech was met not with applause, but with a collective bray of derision from the opposition benches, echoing off the stone walls of the chamber.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/bray