Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense 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]
Kelly prayed that God would judge her with mercy. [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 prayingthat 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
pray in British English
(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. (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
pray in American English
(preɪ)
verb transitive
1.
to implore or beseech
now seldom used except as the elliptical form of “I pray you”
pray tell me
2.
to ask for by prayer or supplication; beg for imploringly
3.
to recite (a prayer)
4.
to bring about, get, etc. by praying
verb intransitive
5.
to ask very earnestly; make supplication, as to a deity
6.
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
Examples of 'pray' in a sentence
pray
Just as we all always hoped and prayed he would be.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We hope and pray that he's going to be okay.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I hope and pray he gets what he deserves at the hearing.
The Sun (2016)
I hope and pray no clubs are allowed to cover this up - no one should escape justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Here are some tips to help you effectively pray for your small group.
Christianity Today (2000)
Everyone is just praying for him to come through this.
The Sun (2012)
Can a visit to church to pray give him any guidance?
The Sun (2015)
The poor woman has been to me begging and praying.
George Eliot Middlemarch (1872)
She begs him to pray for her sins and to warn her daughter of the dangers of jealousy.
Pamela Norris Words Of Love: Passionate Women from Heloise to Sylvia Plath (2006)
But there were many who still hoped and prayed their vines might be saved by a cure found closer to home.
Christy Campbell PHYLLOXERA: How Wine was Saved for the World (2004)
Maybe he should pray for help.
The Sun (2012)
We just prayed he would survive.
The Sun (2010)
We prayed for help, but we did not think people outside cared.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
I wish and hope and pray that you succeed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He added: 'I pray and beg for your wisdom and that of your colleagues in saving my life.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It isn't enough for people just to pray or give money to charity -- they want real moral coherence.
David Boyle AUTHENTICITY: Brands, Fakes, Spin and the Lust for Real Life (2003)
Quotations
pray: to ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthyAmbrose BierceThe Devil's Dictionary
In other languages
pray
British English: pray /preɪ/ VERB
When people pray, they speak to God in order to give thanks or to ask for help.
She prayed that God would judge her kindly.
Now all we have to do is help ourselves and pray to God.