prig
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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Scot. and North England. to haggle or argue over price.
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British Informal. to beg or entreat; ask a favor.
noun
verb
noun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have priggedperfect
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has priggedperfect 3rd person singular
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am priggingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been priggingperfect progressive
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has been priggingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are priggingprogressive
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is priggingprogressive 3rd person singular
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prigssingular 3rd person
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priggingparticiple
Past
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had priggedperfect
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had been priggingperfect progressive
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was priggingprogressive singular
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were priggingprogressive plural
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priggedparticiple
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priggedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of prig1
First recorded in 1560–70; formerly, “coxcomb”; perhaps akin to prink
Origin of prig2
First recorded in 1505–15; originally thieves' cant; origin uncertain
Explanation
If you act like you're better than everyone else, they might start calling you a prig — a snobby and arrogant person. A prig might lecture his friends about their manners, or complain about having to eat at a diner instead of a fancier restaurant. Prigs tend to be self-centered and uptight and aren't much fun to be around. In the eighteenth century, prig meant "precise in speech in manners," and implied someone who was deeply religious. The origin of the word is a mystery — its earlier meanings included "dandy or fop" and "thief."
Vocabulary lists containing prig
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Is it Mrs. Harris?" inquired Mrs. Prig, solemnly.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, May 24, 1890 by Various
Now, Sairah," said Mrs. Prig, "jining business with pleasure, as so often we've done afore, wot is this bothersome affair about which you wants to consult me?
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, May 24, 1890 by Various
"Why nothink at all, my dear; nor don't want to," replied Mrs. Prig, with surprise.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, May 24, 1890 by Various
All three started, calling Prig, and running after her and Blackhawk in wild confusion.
From Happy Days for Boys and Girls by Various
He looks so hard at me—he knows I'm a Prig!
From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
