pray
Americanverb (used with object)
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to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship).
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to offer (a prayer).
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to bring, put, etc., by praying.
to pray a soul into heaven.
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to make earnest petition to (a person).
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to make petition or entreaty for; crave.
She prayed his forgiveness.
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to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God or to an object of worship.
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to enter into spiritual communion with God or an object of worship through prayer.
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
verb
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to utter prayers (to God or other object of worship)
we prayed to God for the sick child
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(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
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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”
Explanation
To pray is to talk to a deity or god. Some people pray by asking for help or guidance. Most religious believers pray in one way or another — some pray out loud, thanking God for the things they have. Others pray silently when they're afraid or worried, or in a group of worshipers at a church or temple. You can also pray in a non-religious way, by begging for something: "I pray you'll really listen to my explanation." Pray comes from the Old French preier, "to pray," with its Latin root word, precari, "ask earnestly, beg, or entreat."
Vocabulary lists containing pray
Instead of "Said": Words for Asking and Offering
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Passover Vocabulary
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Tolkien Reading Day, List 8
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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.
Leo plans to pray privately in the chapel dedicated to 19 priests and nuns murdered during Algeria's 1992-2002 civil war.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
Behind the statue depicting a black Virgin Mary - venerated in both religions - are the words "pray for us and pray for the Muslims".
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026
He asked Americans to join him, not once but daily, to pray for American troops.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Beginning in June, Reid joined clergy from several Episcopal churches on Chicago’s North Side who began gathering weekly at Federal Plaza downtown to pray.
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026
I stare at a crack near the bottom of Mr. Tobin’s desk and pray mad hard that Mama’s okay when she answers.
From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist
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.
