pray

[prey]

verb (used with object)

1. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship).

2. to offer (a prayer).

3. to bring, put, etc., by praying.

   to pray a soul into heaven.

4. to make earnest petition to (a person).

   Synonyms: implore, implore, beseech, beseech, beg, supplicate, entreat, importune

5. to make petition or entreaty for; crave.

   She prayed his forgiveness.

6. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God or to an object of worship.

7. to enter into spiritual communion with God or an object of worship through prayer.

verb (used without object)

1. to make entreaty or supplication, as to a person or for a thing.

verb phrase

1. pray tell.,  pray tell.

pray

/ preɪ /

verb

1. to utter prayers (to God or other object of worship)

   we prayed to God for the sick child

2. (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

3. rare,  (tr) to accomplish or bring by praying

   to pray a soul into the kingdom

interjection

1. archaic,  I beg you; please

   pray, leave us alone

Other Word Forms

• prayingly adverb
• outpray verb (used with object)
• unpraying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pray¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pray¹

C13: from Old French preier, from Latin precārī to implore, from prex an entreaty; related to Old English fricgan, Old High German frāgēn to ask, Old Norse fregna to enquire

Example Sentences

This Thanksgiving, while we pray for those who’ve been injured or killed in gun violence all across this country, I remain optimistically thankful.

Read more on Salon

Roberge said the limits on public prayer were in reaction to recent protests in the province, where there has been debate over groups praying at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Read more on BBC

“We are praying that they survive, and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree,” she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Their singing, praying and preaching moved seamlessly among three languages: Fijian, Hindi and English.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"We are praying they survive, and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree," US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said on Thursday.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ask 
• beseech 
• recite 
• urge