What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bray
Example
The donkey brayed loudly in the distance. [brayed: past tense]
Example
He let out a bray of laughter that echoed through the room. [bray: noun]
bellow
Example
The lion let out a mighty bellow that sent shivers down our spines. [bellowed: past tense]
Example
He bellowed at the top of his lungs, demanding everyone's attention. [bellow: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bellow is more commonly used than bray in everyday language. Bellow is versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while bray is less common and more specific to the sound made by donkeys or mules.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bray and bellow?
Both bray and bellow are informal words, but bellow can be used in both formal and informal contexts due to its versatility.
