spree
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A boisterous piece of merriment; "going on the SPREE," starting out with intent to have a frolic. French, ESPRIT. In the Dutch language, SPREEUW is a jester.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “spree” mean?
A boisterous piece of merriment; "going on the SPREE," starting out with intent to have a frolic. French, ESPRIT. In the Dutch language, SPREEUW is a jester.
Is “spree” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.