Definition of 'pray'

Word Frequency

pray

(preɪ )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense prays , present participle praying , past tense, past participle prayed

1. verb

When people pray, they speak to God in order to give thanks or to ask for help.

He spent his time in prison praying and studying. [VERB]

Now all we have to do is help ourselves and pray to God. [VERB + to]

...all those who work and pray for peace. [VERB + for]

'We can but pray that our worst fears will prove unfounded. [VERB that]

[Also V with quote, V to-inf]

Synonyms: say your prayers, offer a prayer, recite the rosary More Synonyms of pray

2. verb [usually cont]

When someone is hoping very much that something will happen, you can say that they are praying that it will happen.

I'm just praying that the authorities will do something before it's too late. [VERB that]

One can only pray that the team's manager learns something from it. [VERB that]

Many were secretly praying for a compromise. [VERB + for]

3. adverb [ADVERB with cl]

Pray is used when asking a question in a rather unfriendly way or in an angry but calm way.

[old-fashioned]

And what, pray, do you buy and sell, Major?

4. adverb [ADVERB cl]

Pray was used to add politeness to a command.

[old-fashioned, politeness]

I beg your pardon, pray continue.

More Synonyms of pray

Video: pronunciation of
pray

pray in British English

(preɪ )

verb

1. (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

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. (transitive) rare

to accomplish or bring by praying

to pray a soul into the kingdom

exclamation

4. archaic

I beg you; please

pray, leave us alone

Word origin

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

Word Frequency

pray in American English

(preɪ )

verb transitive

to implore or beseech

now seldom used except as the elliptical form of “I pray you”

pray tell me

to ask for by prayer or supplication; beg for imploringly

to recite (a prayer)

to bring about, get, etc. by praying

verb intransitive

to ask very earnestly; make supplication, as to a deity

to worship God, a god, etc., as by reciting certain set formulas

SIMILAR WORDS: apˈpeal

Word origin

ME preien < OFr preier < LL precare, for L precari < prex (gen. precis), prayer < IE *pre-, var. of base *per-, question > Ger frage, question

Word Frequency

pray in American English

(prei)

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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

Derived forms

prayingly

adverb

Word origin

[1250–1300; ME preien ‹ OF preier ‹‹ L precārī to beg, pray, deriv. of prex (s. prec-) prayer; akin to OE fricgan, D vragen, G fragen, Goth fraihnan to ask]

Examples of 'pray' in a sentence
pray

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Just as we all always hoped and prayed he would be.We hope and pray that he's going to be okay.I hope and pray he gets what he deserves at the hearing.I hope and pray no clubs are allowed to cover this up - no one should escape justice.Here are some tips to help you effectively pray for your small group.Everyone is just praying for him to come through this.Can a visit to church to pray give him any guidance?The poor woman has been to me begging and praying.She begs him to pray for her sins and to warn her daughter of the dangers of jealousy.But there were many who still hoped and prayed their vines might be saved by a cure found closer to home.