pray

[ prey ]

/ preɪ /

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See synonyms for: pray / praying on Thesaurus.com

verb (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)

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

Verb Phrases

pray tell. See entry at pray tell.

OTHER WORDS FOR pray

4 importune, entreat, supplicate, beg, beseech, implore.

See synonyms for pray on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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”

OTHER WORDS FROM pray

pray·ing·ly, adverbout·pray, verb (used with object)un·pray·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pray

pray , prayer, prey

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-Science
Balvin 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 Post
Still, 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 Post
A 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 Post

I 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.
Growing Up with Bart Simpson|Alex Suskind|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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.
Mississippi Is Hell for These Lesbians|Emily Shire|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the face of his enemies, he prays that God might forgive them.
A Bishop’s Decision to Divorce|Gene Robinson|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST
In New York, Bill de Blasio demands higher taxes and more spending, but prays for safe streets.
Obama Misfires in the War on Poverty|Lloyd Green|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Blatchford
First, 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 Blatchford
Secondly, the act of prayer gives courage or confidence, in proportion to the faith of him that prays.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Again the mother prays; this time not in sorrow, but from a heart filled with thanksgiving.
The value of a praying mother|Isabel C. Byrum
The 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

pray

/ (preɪ) /

verb

(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 imploreshe prayed to be allowed to go; leave, I pray you

(tr) rare to accomplish or bring by prayingto pray a soul into the kingdom

interjection

archaic I beg you; pleasepray, leave us alone

Word Origin for pray

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pray

OTHER WORDS FOR pray

Origin of pray

OTHER WORDS FROM pray

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pray

Words related to pray

How to use pray in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pray

Word Origin for pray