prayer
gb/pɹˈɛɹ/ us/pɹˈɛɹ/
A2
English
~ 2700
imádkozás, ima, vágy, remény
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
say [a] prayer
She said a quick prayer before the meeting began.
Elmondott egy rövid imát, mielőtt elkezdődött a megbeszélés.
The crowd fell silent for a moment of prayer.
A tömeg egy pillanatnyi imára elcsendesedett.
He offered a prayer for his family's safety.
They gathered in the church for evening prayers.
Her daily routine includes morning and night prayers.
Learner examples
I say a prayer before I go to bed.
Lefekvés előtt elmondok egy imát.
He made a short prayer for his friend.
Rövid imát mondott a barátjáért.
We had a prayer at the start of class.
She closed her eyes and said a prayer.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prayer' with 'prey' because they sound similar but have very different meanings.
Meaning
spoken or silent words to God
Collocations
say a prayer
|offer a prayer
|silent prayer
|prayer meeting
|prayer service
Synonyms
invocation (More formal or ceremonial term for a spoken appeal to a deity.)
Antonyms
blasphemy (Speech that shows disrespect for God; opposite in attitude to prayer.)
Themes
religion
|spirituality
|emotions
|communication
Definition
Words you say to God or another spirit to ask for help or give thanks.
An act of speaking to a god or spiritual being, often to give thanks, confess, or ask for help.
NOUN
B1
2
ima
A2
Usage pattern:
recite [a] prayer
The priest led the congregation in the Lord's Prayer.
A pap vezette a gyülekezetet a Miatyánk elmondásában.
She taught her children the bedtime prayer she learned as a child.
Megtanította a gyerekeinek azt az esti imát, amelyet gyerekkorában tanult.
This ancient prayer is still used today in ceremonies.
Learner examples
We learned a short prayer at school.
Az iskolában megtanultunk egy rövid imát.
He read the prayer from the book.
Felolvasta az imát a könyvből.
The priest said the old prayer.
Meaning
fixed religious text recited
Collocations
recite a prayer
|learn a prayer
|traditional prayer
Synonyms
litany (A repetitive or structured form of prayer, often in call-and-response format.)
Themes
religion
|tradition
Definition
A special group of words used in church or other religious events.
A fixed set of words used in religious worship or ceremonies.
NOUN
B2
3
Finding this job was the answer to my prayers.
Az, hogy megtaláltam ezt az állást, maga volt az imáim meghallgatása.
Her only prayer was that her family would be safe.
Az volt az egyetlen vágya, hogy a családja biztonságban legyen.
He had little prayer of winning the race.
Learner examples
This job is like an answer to my prayer.
Ez az állás olyan, mintha meghallgatták volna az imámat.
Her prayer is to see her son again.
Az a vágya, hogy újra láthassa a fiát.
He has no prayer of winning.
Meaning
strong hope for something good
Collocations
answer to a prayer
|last prayer
Synonyms
hope (A general feeling of wanting something to happen; broader than 'prayer'.)
Antonyms
despair (The complete loss of hope; opposite feeling of wishing for something.)
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong hope that something will happen.
A strong desire or hope for something to happen, sometimes expressed figuratively.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prayer
IPA
GB/pɹˈɛɹ/
US/pɹˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
pray - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pray)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prayer
- Plural: prayer, prayers
Word family
Expressions
answer to one's prayers
1/ˈænsɚ tə wˈʌnz pɹˈɛɹz/
idiom
something hoped for comes true
Something you really wanted that happens and makes you happy.
Examples
- The new job was an answer to my prayers.
- This sunny weather is an answer to our prayers.
in one's prayers
1/ˈɪn wˈʌnz pɹˈɛɹz/
fixed phrase
mentioned when speaking to God
Said when you tell someone you will pray for them.
Examples
- You will be in my prayers during this difficult time.
- She kept her friends in her prayers while they were abroad.
not have a prayer
1/nˈɑt hˈæv ə pɹˈɛɹ/
idiom
informal
have no chance at all
To have no chance of succeeding at something.
Examples
- We don't have a prayer of finishing on time.
- He didn't have a prayer against such strong opponents.
say a prayer
1/sˈeɪ ə pɹˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
speak words to God
To speak words to God, often asking for help or giving thanks.
Examples
- Before the exam, she took a moment to say a prayer.
- They said a prayer for the victims of the accident.