pray

[preɪ]

pray Definition

• 1. to speak to God or a deity, especially to give thanks or ask for help
• 2. to hope or wish very much for something to happen

Using pray: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pray" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

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

• Example

  He prayed that he would pass the exam.

• Example

  I pray that we will arrive on time.

• Example

  Let us pray for peace.

pray Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for pray

• beseech
• implore
• entreat
• supplicate
• petition

Antonyms for pray

• blaspheme
• curse

Idioms Using pray

• pray to the porcelain god

  to vomit into a toilet

  Example

  After drinking too much, he spent the night praying to the porcelain god.

• pray at the altar of something

  to have a strong devotion or dedication to something

  Example

  He prays at the altar of success, always striving to achieve more.

• pray for someone's soul

  to hope that someone who has died will go to heaven

  Example

  The family gathered to pray for their grandfather's soul after he passed away.

Phrases with pray

• pray tell

  used to ask someone to explain or tell something

  Example

  Pray tell, what happened next?

• pray for rain

  to hope for something that is unlikely to happen

  Example

  Asking him to change his mind is like praying for rain in the desert.

• pray in aid

  to use something as evidence or justification for an argument

  Example

  The lawyer prayed in aid the previous case to support his argument.

Origins of pray

from Old French 'preier', from Latin 'precari', meaning 'to ask earnestly, beg, entreat'

📌

Summary: pray in Brief

The verb 'pray' [preɪ] means to speak to God or a deity, often to give thanks or ask for help. It can also mean to hope or wish for something to happen. Examples include 'She prayed for her family's safety during the storm.' and 'I pray that we will arrive on time.' The phrase 'pray tell' is used to ask for an explanation, while 'pray for rain' means to hope for something unlikely. Idioms include 'pray to the porcelain god,' meaning to vomit, and 'pray at the altar of something,' meaning to be devoted to it.