First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
pray
verb \ˈprā\
: to speak to God especially in order to give thanks or to ask for something
: to hope or wish very much for something to happen
: to seriously ask (someone) to do something
Full Definition of PRAY
transitive verb
1
2
: to get or bring by praying
intransitive verb
1
: to make a request in a humble manner
2
: to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving
See pray defined for English-language learners
See pray defined for kids
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Origin of PRAY
Middle English, from Anglo-French prier, praer, preier, from Latin precari, from prec-, prex request, prayer; akin to Old High German frāga question, frāgēn to ask, Sanskrit pṛcchati he asks
Related to PRAY
- Synonyms
- appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), beg, solicit, supplicate
Rhymes with PRAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
PRAY Defined for Kids
pray
verb \ˈprā\
prayedpray·ing
Definition of PRAY for Kids
1
: to speak to God especially to give thanks or ask for something
2
: to hope or wish very much for <I prayed no one would forget.>
3
: to ask earnestly : beg <Do not leave, I pray you.>
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