spray can
5
2.4
- noun
- /spreɪ kæn/
:
spray
- The "Tehran Rats" are graffiti artists who wage a clandestine war with spray cans in Iran.
- an aerosol spray can
Examples
-
He used a spray can to apply the paint evenly on the wall.
-
What did you want my spray can for?
-
When you use a spray can, you make that hole bigger.
Fiction book (1991) -
One early Sunday morning, he came by with three spray cans of paint and invited us to help paint his engine green.
Academic text (1990) -
Use a paper doily; you can spray it any color you wish with a spray can from your local automotive accessories store.
Academic text (1999) -
South London born and bred, Remi has been breaking boundaries with the aid of a spray can.
Blog text (15) -
Geller took the spray can out of his pocket and wrote on the wall, "THE GREEN HORNET STRIKES."
Fiction book (1991) -
She bought a spray can of insecticide to get rid of the ants in her kitchen.
-
The artist prefers a spray can for creating murals on large surfaces.
Synonyms
72
1.0
A small device that sends liquid out as a fine mist
12
4.7
A container that holds liquid or gas under pressure and sprays it as a fine mist
4
2.4
A device that makes liquid into a fine mist to wet plants or clean surfaces
3
3.9
A small metal or plastic container that holds liquid under pressure and sprays a fine mist
1
3.9
A small metal or plastic can that holds liquid under pressure and sprays it as a fine mist
A container under pressure that sprays a fine mist of liquid or gas when opened
How Powerful
5
2.4
4
2.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a small container that dispenses a fine spray' is directly derivable from combining 'spray' (a liquid-dispersing device/substance) with 'can' (a container): the construction denotes a container used for spraying. This noun–noun compounding pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The noun spray can comes from a small metal can that makes a spray when you press its button or nozzle. A gas inside pushes the liquid out as a fine mist, so spray can means 'a small container that releases a spray'.