Prayer usually means speaking to a god or another sacredconnected with religion, or considered holy and deserving respect power, especially to ask for help, give thanks, or show reverencedeep respect and awe toward something holy or highly valued. It can also mean a serious requestan act of asking for something politely or formally from one person to another, or the words used in a religious prayer.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈpreɪər/
Easy pronunciation: PRAY-er (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress on the first syllable: PRAY is louder and clearer than -er.
This is the noun meaning the act of speaking to a deity, especially to ask for help, give thanks, or show reverence.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Prayer Meaning
talking to God or another deity
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of speaking to a deity, especially to ask for help, give thanks, or show reverence
Example: She began each morning with prayer.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- supplication — A formal synonym, but more specific and less common than prayer.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Prayer
Meaning 2
a serious request for something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an earnest or urgent request
Example: His prayer for mercy was ignored.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- appeal — Works when prayer means a serious request.
- entreaty — A formal, earnest request.
Meaning 3
a person who prays
Part of speech: noun
Definition: someone who prays to God
Example: The quiet prayer sat alone in the chapel.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- supplicant — A person who asks humbly, often in a religious context.
Meaning 4
a respectful religious request
Part of speech: noun
Definition: reverent petition to a deity
Example: He offered a prayer for peace.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- orison — A literary or old-fashioned word for prayer.
- petition — Can work in religious language, but is broader and less specific.
Meaning 5
a set prayer or prayer text
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a fixed text used in praying
Example: They recited the prayer together before dinner.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Prayer Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- supplication
an earnest or urgent request
- appeal
- entreaty
someone who prays to God
- supplicant
reverent petition to a deity
- orison
- petition
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use prayer to mean a request in general, but the religious sense is much more specific.
- Prayer is not the same as pray, which is the verb form.
- Orison is a real synonym, but it is old-fashioned and not common in everyday English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does prayer mean?
Prayer usually means speaking to God or another deity, often to ask for help, give thanks, or show reverence. It can also mean a serious request or the words used in that religious act.
What is a simple definition of prayer?
A simple definition is: talking to God or another deity in a religious way.
What are some synonyms for prayer?
Depending on the sense, synonyms can include supplication, appeal, entreaty, supplicant, orison, and petition.
Is prayer always religious?
No. It most often is, but prayer can also mean an earnest request for something.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.