Word
ray
US/ˈɹeɪ/
UK/ɹˈeɪ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a narrow line of light or heat that comes from the sun or another bright object. It can also describe a small amount of a good feeling, like hope.
n. a narrow beam of light or other radiant energy, such as heat or X-rays, emanating from a central source. In a figurative sense, it denotes a slight but perceptible amount of a positive quality.
Examples
“A single ray of sunlight shines through the window.”
“The clouds parted for a moment, allowing a bright ray of light to illuminate the valley below.”
“Despite the grim economic forecast, the recent increase in consumer spending provided a small ray of hope for local business owners struggling to stay afloat.”
Examples
simple
“A single ray of sunlight shines through the window.”
contextual
“The clouds parted for a moment, allowing a bright ray of light to illuminate the valley below.”
complex
“Despite the grim economic forecast, the recent increase in consumer spending provided a small ray of hope for local business owners struggling to stay afloat.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ray” in context.
Verb
01. block the rays
“We installed heavy curtains to block the rays of the afternoon sun.”
verb + noun
02. emit rays
“The radioactive substance emits rays that can be detected with a Geiger counter.”
verb + noun
03. offer a ray of hope
“The new clinical trial offers a ray of hope for patients with the rare disease.”
verb + noun + of + noun
Adjective
04. solitary ray
“A solitary ray of light pierced through the darkness of the cellar.”
adj + noun
05. ultraviolet rays
“Sunscreen protects your skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. gamma rays
“Astronomers use special telescopes to observe gamma rays from distant galaxies.”
noun + noun
07. ray of sunshine
“The toddler was a little ray of sunshine during the gloomy winter months.”
noun + of + noun
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'a ray of' followed by an abstract noun like 'hope', 'sunshine', or 'comfort'.
Real-World Examples
“Eclipse glasses - which will be handed out at events across Scotland hosted by astronomical societies or bought online - can offer protection from harmful rays of sunlight.” “For years, astronomers have puzzled over the sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays in our galaxy—particles accelerated to a quadrillion electron volts, or a petaelectronvolt (PeV; that's 15 zeros after 1).” “The finding may help reveal where the Milky Way’s most energetic cosmic rays come from and how they influence the galaxy.” “When high-energy cosmic rays strike a planetary body, they transfer energy to elements at the surface.” Etymology
* As an English surname, from pet forms derived from the root of Raymond. * Also as an English surname, from Old French rei (“king”). Compare Roy, King. * Also as an English surname, from Old English rā (“roe deer”). Compare Roe. * Also as an English surname, variant of Wray and Rye. * As a Scottish Gaelic surname, shortened from McRae. * As a French surname, from the verb raier (“to gush out, flow, radiate”). Compare Leray. * As a Polish and Slovene surname, Americanized from Raj, from raj (“paradise”). * As an Indian surname, variant of Rai.
From Persian ری (ray /rey), from Middle Persian, from Old Persian 𐎼𐎥𐎠 (r-g-a /ragā/), a Median district. Compare Akkadian 𒊏𒂵𒀪 (ra-ga-'), Elamite 𒊩𒋡𒀭 (rák-ka₄-an) (loc.), Ancient Greek Ῥάγαι (Rhágai), Latin Rhagae, Rhaganae, Iranian borrowings.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Idioms
01. catch some rays
02. ray of light
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ray