ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prayer

n.
US //ˈpɹeɪɝ// prayer
  1. 1 spiritual communication (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Religion

    the act of speaking to a god or spirit, either to give thanks or to ask for help.

    the practice or act of communicating with a deity or spiritual entity. Often uncountable when referring to the general practice.

    Example

    She knelt by her bed every night to offer a silent prayer for her family.

    Example

    The community gathered in the square for a moment of silent prayer following the news of the disaster.
  2. 2 religious text (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Religion

    the specific words that people say when they pray.

    a set form of words used in praying, such as a liturgical text or a personal petition.

    Example

    The children learned a simple prayer to say before they ate their lunch.

    Example

    The priest recited an ancient Latin prayer that had been part of the cathedral's liturgy for centuries.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 a request (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Literary

    a serious or sincere request for help from someone.

    an earnest request, petition, or entreaty directed toward an authority or another person.

    Example

    The prisoner's final prayer for mercy was rejected by the court.

    Example

    The delegation presented a formal prayer to the governor, requesting a stay of execution for the historic building.
  2. 4 a small chance (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a very small hope or chance that something will happen.

    the slightest chance or hope of success; frequently used in negative constructions.

    Example

    With ten miles to go and a broken wheel, the team didn't have a prayer of winning.

    Example

    The startup didn't have a prayer of securing the contract against such established international competitors.

    Usage

    Usually appears in the phrase 'not a prayer' or 'without a prayer'.
  3. 5 one who prays (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal

    a person who is praying.

    an agent noun referring to an individual engaged in the act of prayer.

    Example

    The temple was filled with silent prayers bowing toward the altar.

    Example

    The artist captured the humble posture of the prayer, whose face was obscured by the shadows of the chapel.

    Usage

    Distinguished from the spiritual act by pronunciation; the agent noun is often two syllables (pray-er).
    • worshipper
    • supplicant
Etymology 1

From Middle English preiere, from Old French preiere, from Early Medieval Latin precāria, derived from Latin precem. Displaced native Old English ġebed (whence modern English bead).

Etymology 2

pray + -er.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference