DictionaryAI

prayer

noun
SayPRAIR/pɹɛɚ/UK/pɹɛə/

Pluralprayers

7 meanings of prayer

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable
    One act of talking to God, like asking for help or saying thank you.

    She said a quick prayer before the big test.

    Every night his prayers end with a wish for his family.

    Similarinvocation, petition, supplication, intercession

    Note
  2. 2
    noununcountable
    The habit of talking to God or to a spirit, often to give thanks or ask for help.

    Like talking to a good friend you trust, even though you cannot see them.

    Prayer helps her feel calm when she is worried.

    In his family, prayer comes before every meal.

    Similardevotion, worship, supplication, communion

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncountable or uncountable
    The special words or the way of speaking that people use when they pray.

    Their holy book gives the exact words of prayer for each holiday.

    She learned the correct form of prayer from her new teacher.

    Similarworship, liturgy

  4. 4
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A meeting where people come together to pray.

    The whole school goes to morning prayer in the big hall.

    Every Friday, the village holds prayer together in the open square.

    Similarservice, worship, devotions

    Note
  5. 5
    nouncountable or uncountable
    Even a very small chance that something will happen or succeed.

    With a flat tire and no phone, we didn't have a prayer of getting there on time.

    Against the champion, he never had a prayer.

    Similarchance, hope, shot, prospect

    Note
  6. 6
    nouncountable
    A serious, formal request made to someone with power, like a judge or a ruler.

    The letter to the king ended with a prayer for mercy.

    Her prayer to the judge was simple: let her keep her home.

    Similarrequest, petition, plea, appeal, demand

    Note
  7. 7
    USPRAY-ur/ˈpɹeɪɚ/UKPRAY-uh/ˈpɹeɪə/
    nouncountable
    A person who prays.

    Every prayer in the small church knelt when the bells rang.

    One by one, the prayers rolled up their mats and went home.

    Similarworshipper, supplicant, devotee

    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–6

From Old French preiere, which came from Latin words for asking or begging (from precem). It replaced the older Old English word ġebed.

Meaning 7

From the verb 'pray' plus the ending '-er'.