ray

ray — noun

1. a thin straight stream of light or heat that moves in an unbroken path away from

1.nounB2
Definition

a thin straight stream of light or heat that moves in an unbroken path away from its starting point

Example

A narrow ray of sunlight came through the crack in the bedroom curtain.

collocation: ray of sunlight

The morning sun streamed through the window in warm golden rays.

Common collocations
  • ray of light
  • ray of sunlight
  • ray of sun
  • heat ray
  • laser ray
  • X-ray
  • gamma ray
  • a narrow ray
  • a bright ray
Synonyms
  • beam

    a wider, more concentrated stream of light; 'laser beam' but 'ray of light'

  • shaft

    a long, narrow band of light, often in a dramatic or literary context ('shaft of sunlight')

  • streak

    a thin, irregular line, often implying movement or sudden appearance

Grammar Patterns

a ray of [light/sun/heat]

ray + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used with the preposition 'of' to name the source, as in 'a ray of sun' or 'rays of heat.' This is the most common meaning of the noun.

Common Mistakes

The ray shined in my eyes.
The beam of light shined in my eyes.
'ray' suggests a thinner, more defined line than 'beam'; for a wide stream of light, use 'beam.'

2. time spent outdoors in sunlight, especially to get or enjoy a suntan

2.nounB1
Definition

time spent outdoors in sunlight, especially to get or enjoy a suntan

Example

Beatriz spent the whole afternoon catching some rays on the hotel balcony.

collocation: catch some rays

The guests lay by the pool, soaking up the warm rays of the afternoon sun.

collocation: soak up the rays

Common collocations
  • catch rays
  • soak up rays
  • sun's rays
  • warm rays
  • bright rays
  • harmful rays
  • UV rays
Synonyms
  • sunshine

    more general; the direct light of the sun, not specifically for tanning

  • sunlight

    the natural light of the sun, without the tanning connotation

Grammar Patterns

catch (some) rays

the sun's rays

soak up the rays

Usage Note

In this sense 'rays' is most commonly used in the plural. The fixed phrase 'catch some rays' is an informal way of saying 'sunbathe.'

Common Mistakes

I want to catch ray on the beach.
I want to catch some rays on the beach.
'rays' must be plural in this idiomatic expression.

3. a tiny bit of a positive quality such as hope or comfort that appears during a d

3.nounC2
Definition

a tiny bit of a positive quality such as hope or comfort that appears during a difficult time

Example

The doctor's encouraging words gave the family a small ray of hope.

collocation: a ray of hope

After months of bad financial news, the job offer felt like a ray of sunshine.

idiom: a ray of sunshine

Common collocations
  • ray of hope
  • ray of sunshine
  • ray of comfort
  • ray of light
  • tiny ray
  • small ray
  • faint ray
Synonyms
  • glimmer

    a faint, uncertain sign of something positive; 'glimmer of hope' suggests even less certainty than 'ray of hope'

  • hint

    a very small amount or sign, often used with non-abstract nouns ('hint of lemon')

  • trace

    a very small amount that is barely noticeable, often neutral in tone

Grammar Patterns

a ray of [hope/sunshine/comfort]

Usage Note

Almost always used in the fixed pattern 'a ray of + abstract noun' (hope, sunshine, comfort, light, kindness). The noun following 'of' is typically uncountable and positive in meaning.

Common Mistakes

There was a ray of monies.
There was a ray of hope.
'ray of' is only used with positive abstract qualities, not concrete things or money.

4. an ocean creature with a wide, diamond-shaped body and a thin tail, whose inner

4.nounB1
Definition

an ocean creature with a wide, diamond-shaped body and a thin tail, whose inner frame is made of soft cartilage rather than hard bone

Example

The scuba divers watched a large manta ray glide gracefully over the sandy ocean floor.

compound: manta ray

A stingray has a long tail with a sharp point that can injure careless swimmers.

compound: stingray

Common collocations
  • manta ray
  • stingray
  • ray fish
  • flat ray
  • tropical ray

Grammar Patterns

a + ray

[type] + ray

Usage Note

Rays belong to the same group as sharks (cartilaginous fish). Common types include the manta ray, stingray, and skate. The plural form is 'rays.'

5. the name that singers and musicians give to the second pitch in a series of eigh

5.nounB1
Definition

the name that singers and musicians give to the second pitch in a series of eight notes that make up a musical scale

Example

The children's choir sang 'do, ray, mi, fa' to warm up before the school concert.

solfège: do-ray-mi

Christopher played the note ray on the piano as the teacher nodded in approval.

Common collocations
  • do ray mi
  • note ray
  • sing ray
  • scale starting on ray
  • the syllable ray
Synonyms
  • re

    the standard European name for the same note; 'ray' is the English tonic sol-fa spelling

Grammar Patterns

do, ray, mi, fa...

Usage Note

In British-style solfège (tonic sol-fa), the note is written as 'ray' but often pronounced simply as 're.' The full set is do-ray-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do. Capitalisation is not required.

Common Mistakes

Ray is the first note of the scale.
Ray is the second note of the scale.
'ray' is the second note; 'do' is the first.
Idioms

catch/get/grab some rays

idiom

To spend time outside in the sunlight, often to get a tan.

Maya went to the beach to catch some rays yesterday.

Why don't we grab some rays in the park this afternoon?

a ray of sunshine

idiom

A person or thing that brings happiness or brightness to a situation.

Little Diego is a ray of sunshine in our family.

Her smile was a ray of sunshine on that cloudy day.

ray — verb

Word family

  • rayed
    adjectiveC1
  • raying
    nounC1
  • X-ray
    nounB1
  • stingray
    nounB1
  • manta ray
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a line of light, but they differ in shape and connotation. A 'ray' is typically a thin, straight line of light coming from a source — scientific or everyday ('a ray of sunlight', 'laser ray'). A 'beam' is broader and more concentrated, suggesting strength and direction ('a beam from a lighthouse', 'a laser beam'). 'Shaft' is more literary and dramatic, describing a long, straight band of light that cuts through darkness ('a shaft of moonlight broke through the clouds'). 'Streak' refers to an irregular, often moving line of light and carries a sense of speed or suddenness ('a streak of lightning'). In everyday speech, 'beam' is the most common for strong light, while 'ray' is preferred for thin or scientific uses. For example, you would say 'the rays of the morning sun' but 'a powerful beam from a searchlight.'

beam ↗shaft ↗streak ↗ray ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a ray of
  • rays of
  • catch some rays
  • soak up the rays

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchAnglo-NormanEnglish

The word 'ray' entered English in the 1300s from Old French 'rai', which came from Latin 'radius' — originally meaning a rod or spoke of a wheel, and later used for a line of light radiating from a bright centre. The modern senses of a light beam and a line spreading outward all carry this 'spoke-like line' image. Interestingly, the fish name 'ray' has a separate origin: it comes from Latin 'raia', meaning a flat fish, and the two words converged in spelling over time by coincidence.