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
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.
"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
“I thought you were on the ‘Weekly Prig.’
From Stories by American Authors, Volume 8 by Various
I would not kill Prig, for then she would be gone too, and to-morrow you would be sorry.
From Happy Days for Boys and Girls by Various
"Prig," said mother sweetly, as if a prig were a pleasant thing to be.
From The Wishing Moon by Dutton, Louise Elizabeth
"Prig," murmured Gladys with conviction, as I came to the end of the Rawnsley dossier.
From The Sixth Sense A Novel by McKenna, Stephen
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.
