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, 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 ( def ).

pray

/ preɪ /

verb

1. whenintr, 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. 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 Words From

• pray·ing·ly adverb
• out·pray verb (used with object)
• un·pray·ing 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

I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us.

From BBC

Barbara Bregoli fired back on Instagram: “I pray to God one of your children never get cancer. I’ve had it twice. How dare you say my daughter’s faking this.”

From Los Angeles Times

Harris represented the idea of overcoming all of that, and I pray we don't lose that feeling.

From Salon

Some seem to want to just pray them away.

From Slate

"We all need him to be home and we pray that he is safe," she added.

From BBC

Related Words

• ask
• beseech
• recite
• urge