pray
[verb]
Synonyms:
- say one's prayers, offer a prayer, recite the rosary
- beg, adjure, ask, beseech, entreat, implore, petition, plead, request, solicit

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. pray¹ S3 W3 /preɪ/ verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: preier, from Latin precari, from prex 'request, prayer']

1. to speak to God in order to ask for help or give thanks ⇒ prayer:
They went to the mosque to pray.
pray for
Let us pray for peace.
pray to
Martha prayed to God for help.
pray (that)
He prayed that his sight might be restored.

2. to wish or hope very strongly that something will happen or is true
pray (that)
Paul was praying that no one had noticed his absence.
I hope and pray that this is a misunderstanding.
pray for
We’re praying for good weather tomorrow.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. pray² adverb [sentence adverb]
old-fashioned used when politely asking a question or telling someone to do something Synonym : please:
Pray be seated.
And who, pray tell, is this?

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

pray
verb
ADV. earnestly, fervently, hard He thought if he prayed hard enough God might eventually listen.
quietly, silently | regularly | together
PREP. for He prayed for rain.
to I prayed to God for guidance.
with She asked the priest to pray with her.
PHRASES hope and pray We can hope and pray that no one gets hurt.
let us pray ‘Let us pray.’ The congregation bowed their heads. Let's pray Mick doesn't find out.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲