prig

¹

[ prig ]

noun

1. a person who displays or demands of others pointlessly precise conformity, fussiness about trivialities, or exaggerated propriety, especially in a self-righteous or irritating manner.

   Synonyms: bluenose, puritan, prude

prig

²

[ prig ]

verb (used with object)

, prigged, prig·ging.

1. Chiefly British. to steal.

verb (used without object)

, prigged, prig·ging.

1. Scot. and North England. to haggle or argue over price.
2. British Informal. to beg or entreat; ask a favor.

noun

1. Chiefly British. a thief.

prig

¹

/ prɪɡ /

verb

1. See steal
   another word for steal

noun

1. See thief
   another word for thief

prig

²

/ prɪɡ /

noun

1. a person who is smugly self-righteous and narrow-minded

Derived Forms

• ˈpriggism, noun
• ˈpriggish, adjective
• ˈpriggery, noun
• ˈpriggishly, adverb

Other Words From

• prig·gish adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prig¹

C16: of unknown origin

Origin of prig²

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Before forty there is yet a chance that the budding ninny may desert, and degenerate into a prig, a Philistine, or a physician.

From Project Gutenberg

Stephen was not a prig and she recognized the justice of his arguments, but he was rather hard and his views were too clear-cut.

From Project Gutenberg

He's a bit of a prig—in fact, he's as priggish as he well can be—but he's never done anything but run straight.

From Project Gutenberg

This man is difficult to judge; he was a man of poor physique, naturally timid, and a prig.

From Project Gutenberg

The letter describes a small boy who was "a very earnest vegetarian" and a super-prig into the bargain.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• goody two-shoes
• goody-goody