pray
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship).
-
to offer (a prayer).
-
to bring, put, etc., by praying.
to pray a soul into heaven.
-
to make earnest petition to (a person).
-
to make petition or entreaty for; crave.
She prayed his forgiveness.
-
to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God or to an object of worship.
-
to enter into spiritual communion with God or an object of worship through prayer.
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
verb
-
to utter prayers (to God or other object of worship)
we prayed to God for the sick child
-
(when tr, usually takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to make an earnest entreaty (to or for); beg or implore
she prayed to be allowed to go
leave, I pray you
-
rare (tr) to accomplish or bring by praying
to pray a soul into the kingdom
interjection
Other Word Forms
- outpray verb (used with object)
- prayingly adverb
- unpraying adjective
Etymology
Origin of pray
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English preien, from Old French preier, ultimately derived from Latin precārī “to beg, pray,” derivative of prex (stem prec- ) prayer; akin to Old English fricgan, Dutch vragen, German fragen, Gothic fraihnan “to ask”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We pray to God that peace will be imposed, and that the national committee will come and control Gaza."
From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026
"Let's pray for Tuju because he has gone through a lot," he said.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
Patiently awaiting his subsidy at the Manila community centre, Cipriano said he could only pray for a quick end to the war.
From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026
“I just pray he should survive,” said the man.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
If it rained, he’d have to trust his sleeping-sack to keep him dry, and pray that the river spirit didn’t send another flood, because he’d built too close to the water.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
