pray
/preɪ/
EN
To speak to a god or deity, especially privately or in a religious gathering, to give thanks, ask for help, or express devotion; also used informally to mean a sincere request.
She knelt down to pray before her meal.
Etymology
Comes from the Old French preier, which originated from Latin precāri meaning 'to ask, entreat'. It entered Middle English around the 13th century, retaining the original sense of asking earnestly before it gained its specific religious meaning.
Translations
简体中文
祈祷,祷告,祈求
繁體中文
祈禱,禱告,祈求
日本語
祈る,祈ります
한국어
기도하다,빌다
Deutsch
beten,flehen
Español
orar,rezar
Português
orar,rezar
Français
prier
Català
pregar
Tiếng Việt
cầu nguyện
Collocations
pray forpray topray hardpray silentlypray together
Synonyms
beseechentreatsupplicateimplore
Antonyms
curseblaspheme
Related Words
prayerworshipdevotionplearequest