pray
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.
to make entreaty or supplication, as to a person or for a thing.
pray tell. See entry at pray tell.
Origin of pray
1Other words for pray
Other words from pray
- pray·ing·ly, adverb
- out·pray, verb (used with object)
- un·pray·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with pray
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pray in a sentence
We have, for example, successfully used Zoom to show a group of kids across Florida live large Eastern Hercules beetles, praying mantises and giant katydids.
Insects can be the ultimate teaching tool for kids | By Kawahara, Ennes & Markee/The Conversation | November 20, 2020 | Popular-ScienceBalvin performed “Rojo” — with a bleeding heart“My heart breaks, and I pray for the world,” Balvin said in Spanish before performing “Rojo,” from his album “Colores.”
Latin Grammys 2020: 5 things you missed, from Bad Bunny’s performance to Pitbull honoring front-line workers | Bethonie Butler | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostStill, my husband and I made our concerns known and prayed for the best.
Distance learning was a disaster. So I decided to teach my daughter myself. | Tracey Lewis-Giggetts | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostA lot of people pray to be in this position, and I’m not going to take it for granted.
On quiet night for NBA draft lottery selections, Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 to Timberwolves | Ben Golliver, Des Bieler | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostI prayed if I ever got married, I wanted my kids to go to school.
Lucille Bridges, who stood by daughter Ruby through school desegregation, dies at 86 | Emily Langer | November 12, 2020 | Washington Post
He prays for a miracle and gets it in the form of a snow day, giving him an extra 24 hours to study.
A shot of her lying in bed next to Amber face-to-face as she prays to God to guide them to improve themselves is heartbreaking.
In the face of his enemies, he prays that God might forgive them.
“I sincerely hope this woman is flattened by a lorry,” prays another.
When Fame Is the Reason for Abortion, Does That Make It Wrong? | Tauriq Moosa | April 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn New York, Bill de Blasio demands higher taxes and more spending, but prays for safe streets.
While he waits for the paper he kneels down and prays to God, for the sake of wife and children, to allow him to escape.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordFirst, the act of prayer is emotional, and so calms the man who prays, for much of his excitement is worked off.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordSecondly, the act of prayer gives courage or confidence, in proportion to the faith of him that prays.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordAgain the mother prays; this time not in sorrow, but from a heart filled with thanksgiving.
The value of a praying mother | Isabel C. ByrumThe longer it stays lost, the more diamonds it had in it, until she prays God every night that it won't be found.
Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays | Various
British Dictionary definitions for pray
/ (preɪ) /
(when intr, often foll by for; when tr, usually takes a clause as object) 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
(tr) rare to accomplish or bring by praying: to pray a soul into the kingdom
archaic I beg you; please: pray, leave us alone
Origin of pray
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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