prerogative

American  

[pri-rog-uh-tiv, puh-rog-] / prɪˈrɒg ə tɪv, pəˈrɒg- /

noun

1. an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like.

   the prerogatives of a senator.

2. a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category.

   It was the teacher's prerogative to stop the discussion.

3. a power, immunity, or the like restricted to a sovereign government or its representative.

   The royal prerogative exempts the king from taxation.

4. Obsolete. precedence.

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adjective

1. having or exercising a prerogative.

2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or existing by virtue of a prerogative.

prerogative British  

/ prɪˈrɒɡətɪv /

noun

1. an exclusive privilege or right exercised by a person or group of people holding a particular office or hereditary rank

2. any privilege or right

3. a power, privilege, or immunity restricted to a sovereign or sovereign government

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adjective

1. having or able to exercise a prerogative

Related Words

See privilege.

Etymology

Origin of prerogative

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin praerogātīvus (adjective) “voting first,” praerogātīva (noun use of feminine of adjective) “tribe or century with right to vote first.” See pre-, interrogative

Explanation

A prerogative is someone's special right or privilege. As Bobby Brown once sang, "I don't need permission / Make my own decisions / That's my prerogative." Prerogative goes back to a Latin root for a group having the right to vote first (prae-, "pre-" + rogare, "to ask") and thus came to mean "privileged rank." In current use, it refers to a right or privilege held by any person or group. A near synonym is privilege, which puts more emphasis on the fact that others do not have it. The self-justifying phrase "That's my prerogative" (for example, in reference to changing one's mind) is quite common.

Example Sentences

Of course, raising prices is a restaurant owner’s prerogative; many have no choice if they want to stay in business these days.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

“It’s always gonna be my prerogative as editor of this newsroom to say that I want more information, and to push to get more information,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

Under the provisions of the 1998 Northern Ireland Act, regulations governing the flag had become "a transferred prerogative matter", precluding Her Majesty's "command on flags … having any legal effect in Northern Ireland".

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

Strictly speaking, it is right to say that Trump, as the president, has the prerogative to enforce federal law, including immigration law.

From Slate • Sep. 10, 2025

It’s the prerogative of moles, after all, which only certain American lifetimes can teach.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

• immunity
• perquisite