pray

/preɪ/

/preɪ/

Other forms: prayed; praying; prays

To pray is to talk to a deity or god. Some people pray by asking for help or guidance.

Most religious believers pray in one way or another — some pray out loud, thanking God for the things they have. Others pray silently when they're afraid or worried, or in a group of worshipers at a church or temple. You can also pray in a non-religious way, by begging for something: "I pray you'll really listen to my explanation." Pray comes from the Old French preier, "to pray," with its Latin root word, precari, "ask earnestly, beg, or entreat."

Definitions of pray

1. verb

   address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
   “pray to the Lord”

   type of:

   commune

   communicate intimately with; be in a state of heightened, intimate receptivity
2. verb

   call upon in supplication; entreat
   synonyms: beg, implore

   types:

   crave

   plead or ask for earnestly

   supplicate

   ask humbly (for something)

   importune, insist

   beg persistently and urgently

   besiege

   harass, as with questions or requests

   type of:

   plead

   appeal or request earnestly