Learn about the difference between the homophones: pray and prey

Definitions

pray

Pray is a verb that means to address a deity or other religious figure with solemn request or thanksgiving. It can also mean to hope or wish very much for something to happen.

Example

She prayed for her family's safety during the storm.

Example

I pray that everything will turn out okay.

prey

Prey is a noun that refers to an animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food. It can also be used as a verb meaning to hunt and kill for food or profit.

Example

The lion stalked its prey through the tall grass.

Example

The company was preying on vulnerable customers with their high-interest loans.

Tips To Remember the Differences

Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:

- To remember the difference between pray and prey, think of the 'a' in pray as standing for 'ask', as in asking for divine intervention. - The 'e' in prey can stand for 'eat', as in being eaten by a predator.