Standard Lemma guide

precatory

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈpɹɛ.kə.tə.ɹi/
  • UK: /ˈpɹɛ.kə.tɹi/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: /ˈpɹɛ.kəˌtɔ.ɹi/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Expressing a wish.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Expressing a wish but not creating any legal obligation or duty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

Examples

  • precatory words in a will

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

expressing entreaty or supplication

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • precatory overtures

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: precative

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Late Latin precatorius, from Latin precari (“to pray”).