Spree Is Scottish and Means an Unrestrained Burst
A spree is a period of unrestrained activity. It began as Scottish dialect and now attaches to spending and crime.
A spree is a period of unrestrained indulgence in an activity. It began as Scottish dialect around 1800, probably meaning a lively outing, and English attached it to whatever was being done to excess: a *shopping spree*, a *drinking spree*, a *crime spree*. The noun almost never stands alone — it needs a companion word to say what is being overdone. The origin beyond Scottish usage is unknown.
- A burst of indulgence. *A shopping spree.*
- Drinking spree. *A weekend spree.*
- Crime spree. *A crime spree.*
- Scottish dialect origin. *From about 1800.*
- Unknown further origin. *Uncertain.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | spree | A spree. |
| Plural | sprees | Sprees. |
| Compound | shopping spree | A shopping spree. |
| Compound | crime spree | A crime spree. |
| Origin | Scottish | About 1800. |
- She went on a shopping spree.Spending.
- A three-day crime spree.Crime.
- The word is Scottish dialect.Origin.
Words that need a companion
- Spree — almost always shopping, drinking or crime
- Fest — as in *lovefest* or *bloodfest*, borrowed from German
- Binge — originally to soak a wooden vessel, now eating or drinking
- Bender — a prolonged drinking session
- Rampage — from Scots, meaning to rush about wildly
Scottish dialect from about 1800, of unknown further origin.
Where does spree come from?
Scottish dialect around 1800. Its origin beyond that is unknown.
Why does spree need another word with it?
It names the manner rather than the activity, so it needs a companion word to say what is being done to excess.