How to pronounce prayer
Say it like PRAIR. Prayer is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prayer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prayer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of prayer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PRAIR.
What does prayer mean?
- the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)“the priest sank to his knees in prayer”
- reverent petition to a deity
- earnest or urgent request“an entreaty to stop the fighting”“an appeal for help”
Where does prayer come from?
From Middle English preiere, from Old French preiere, from Early Medieval Latin precāria, derived from Latin precem.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prayer
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prayer.
Questions about saying prayer
How do you pronounce prayer?
Say PRAIR. The American pronunciation is /prɛr/. In British English it is /prɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prayer?
Prayer is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PRAIR.
Is prayer pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /prɛə/ (PRAIR).