What does plead mean?
Word: Plead
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Plead means to ask for something in a very serious, heartfelt way, often again and again.
Synonyms: appeal, implore
Antonyms: demand, refuse
How do you spell plead?
Syllables: plead
Tricky part: The long e is spelt ea, the same as in please. Pleed and plede are easy mistakes to make.
Watch out for: pleed, plede, pleid
Memory tip: Plead and please both begin with plea. When you plead, you keep saying please.
Plead in a sentence
Example 1: The children pleaded with their mother for one more story.
Example 2: He pleaded for help when his bicycle chain broke.
Example 3: I will plead with the coach to let me play.
Fun Fact
Plead goes back to the Latin verb placere, to please, so plead and please really are related and not just look-alikes.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word: plead
a) scold
b) beg
c) boast
d) whisper
Show answer
b) beg. To plead is to beg someone seriously for something.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) apolagise
b) reqest
c) plead
d) persuaid
Show answer
c) plead. Apologise, request and persuade are the correct forms; only plead is spelt properly in the list.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
pleade
a) l
b) a
c) e
d) d
Show answer
c) e. Plead stops at its d; unlike made or fade, no e follows.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Eva will plead with her father to let her join the swiming class.
a) plead
b) father
c) join
d) swiming
Show answer
d) swiming. Swim doubles its m before ing, so it is swimming.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In which case would someone most likely plead?
a) when asking for a second chance
b) when reading out a notice
c) when giving away old toys
d) when saying hello to a friend
Show answer
a) when asking for a second chance
2. Amara pleaded with the shopkeeper. She was most likely ____.
a) asking him to stay open a little longer
b) telling him the time on the clock
c) showing him her brand-new shoes
d) paying him for a packet of biscuits
Show answer
a) asking him to stay open a little longer
