I’ve got a hunch how — at least in some people’s minds — “tray” ceiling became “trey”: “très” is French for “very” (as in “very beautiful”).

From there, it’s just a small step (and single letter) to “trey.”

Of course, that’s also how the word sounds phonetically.

However, the correct adjective for a recessed ceiling — often directly over a bed or Dining Room table, and marked with dramatic, custom moldings — is “tray.”

As in, it resembles an inverted tray.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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