pray
pray
Pray (verb) means to speak to God or a higher power, whether to give thanks, ask for help, or express devotion. Example: “She prayed quietly before the exam.”
verb
1
To speak to God or a higher power, whether to give thanks, ask for help, or express devotion.
"She prayed quietly before the exam."
"They prayed for the safe return of the missing hikers."
"Every evening the villagers gather in the church to pray together."
2
To ask someone earnestly for something.
"Please, I pray you, forgive me for being so late."
"He prayed her to reconsider before she walked out of the door."
"He prayed the judge would show mercy."
How to use pray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo talk to a god or spiritual power, or, more loosely, to hope or ask earnestly for something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pray for
pray to God
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- prays
- Past tense
- prayed
Fill the gap
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She _____ quietly before the exam.
Etymology
From Old French "preier," from Latin "precari" ("to beg" or "to entreat"), from "prex," meaning "request" or "prayer."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pray
See all rhymes for pray →Frequently asked questions
What does “pray” mean?
The word “pray” means to speak to God or a higher power, whether to give thanks, ask for help, or express devotion. In plain terms, to talk to a god or spiritual power, or, more loosely, to hope or ask earnestly for something.
How do you pronounce “pray”?
“Pray” is pronounced pray (/pɹeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pray” in a sentence?
Here is “pray” used in a sentence: “She prayed quietly before the exam.”
What part of speech is “pray”?
“Pray” is a verb.
Where does the word “pray” come from?
The word “pray” comes from Latin. From Old French "preier," from Latin "precari" ("to beg" or "to entreat"), from "prex," meaning "request" or "prayer.".
Is “pray” a common word?
“Pray” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “pray” have?
“Pray” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to speak to God or a higher power, whether to give thanks, ask for help, or express devotion.
What is the difference between pray and prey?
These homophones sound alike but differ completely in meaning. To "pray" is to speak to God or a higher power in thanks, request, or devotion. To "prey" is to hunt or exploit, or as a noun, the animal that a predator hunts. Remember that "pray" ends in a for appeal.
What are the different types of prayer?
Prayer commonly falls into a few purposes: thanksgiving, giving gratitude; petition or supplication, asking for help or things; confession, admitting wrongdoing; and adoration or worship, expressing devotion. People may pray silently, aloud, alone, or in groups, following set words or speaking freely from the heart.
Is praying only religious?
Praying is primarily a religious act, directed toward God or a higher power. However, the word is also used loosely and informally, as in "I'm praying it doesn't rain," to express strong hope or wishing without any spiritual belief attached. Context makes the intended meaning clear.
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