Praise and prays are commonly confused words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings, which makes them homophones. We will examine the different meanings of the homophonic words praise and prays, the word origins of the terms, and some examples of their English usage in sentences.
Praise may mean an expression of love, gratitude and admiration toward a deity, or a type of prayer. Praise may also mean an expression of respect or admiration toward something or someone other than a deity. Praise may be used as a noun or as a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object. Related words are praises, praised, praising. The word praise is derived from the Latin word pretium, which means prize or reward.
Prays is the third person present form of the verb pray, which is verb that means to address a deity with a request or an expression of love, gratitude, or admiration. Pray is an intransitive verb, which is a verb that does not take an object. The word pray is derived from the Latin word, precari, which means to beg or entreat.
Examples
If you follow the Oklahoma Sooners, you’re probably wondering why coach Lincoln Riley has seemed hesitant to heap praise on his new quarterback. (Sports Illustrated)
This service will be a special time to praise Him in word and song, as well as celebrate fellowship with pie and coffee after the praise service. (Daily Advocate)
Family prays Larry Millete will have ‘change of heart’ days after his murder arrest (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of ‘climate change famine’ (Reuters)
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