aerosol can

[ˈɛroʊsɑːl kæn]
nounpl: aerosol cans
lata de aerossol
1. a pressurized container that dispenses a substance in the form of a fine mist or spray
She sprayed the air freshener from the aerosol can around the room.
Ela pulverizou o ar fresco da lata de aerossol em volta do quarto.
2. a metal or plastic container with a valve mechanism that allows the contents to be released as an atomized spray
The paint aerosol can made it easy to apply a thin, even coat.
A lata de aerossol de tinta tornou fácil aplicar uma camada fina e uniforme.
In Brazil, aerosol cans are commonly used for everything from paint to insect repellent to air fresheners. The term 'lata de aerossol' is the formal Portuguese term, but 'spray' is widely understood and used colloquially. In the United States, aerosol cans are iconic in both DIY culture and street art/graffiti communities. Environmental concerns about CFCs have led to regulations in both countries, with Brazil and the US phasing out ozone-depleting propellants in favor of more environmentally friendly alternatives.
NYC Slang
spray can (street art context, particularly associated with graffiti culture)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
spray canpressurized canspray bottleatomizer
Antonyms / Antônimos
pump bottlemanual dispenser

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
lata de aerossol
most common and formal term used throughout Brazil
São Paulo
spray
English loanword frequently used in informal speech
Rio de Janeiro
lata de spray
common colloquial usage mixing Portuguese and English
Portugal
lata de spray
preferred term in European Portuguese, often shortened to just 'spray'

Related Words

propellantnozzlevalvepressurizedatomizespray paint

Related Idioms & Phrases

shake the aerosol can
empty the aerosol can
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