prayer beads

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   A string of small balls that a person moves between their fingers while saying prayers.

   Grammar: Plural only: say 'the prayer beads are on the table', not 'a prayer beads'.

   Patterns

   • a string of prayer beads
   • use prayer beads
   • count prayer beads

   She keeps a set of prayer beads beside her bed and uses them every evening.

   The old man sat quietly, moving the prayer beads through his fingers.

   Visitors can buy wooden prayer beads at the shop near the temple.

2. 2nounpluralreligion

   A similar string of beads used in some religions as a way of keeping count while repeating prayers.

   Grammar: Also plural; often followed by 'of' plus a material or religion: prayer beads of wood, Muslim prayer beads.

   Patterns

   • Muslim prayer beads
   • Buddhist prayer beads
   • prayer beads of wood

   Muslim prayer beads usually have ninety-nine small beads.

   He brought back a string of Buddhist prayer beads from his trip to Japan.

Common combinations

a string of prayer beads

She gave him a string of prayer beads as a gift.

wooden prayer beads

The monk wore wooden prayer beads around his wrist.

count on prayer beads

Some people count their prayers on prayer beads.

hold prayer beads

She held the prayer beads tightly while she prayed.

Synonyms and how they differ

rosary

Usually refers specifically to the Catholic set of beads and the prayers said with it, while 'prayer beads' is a wider term for any religion.

beads

A general word for any small decorative balls on a string; 'prayer beads' makes clear they are used for praying.

Commonly confused: prayer beads or rosary?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “prayer beads”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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