prima facie

[ prahy-muh-fey-shee-ee, fey-shee, fey-shuh, pree- ]

See synonyms for prima facie on Thesaurus.com

adverb

at first appearance; at first view, before investigation; self-evident; obvious.

adjective

plain or clear on initial investigation or at first view; self-evident; obvious: A rise in productivity correlates with rising employee well-being, making a prima facie case for improving workplace conditions.

Origin of prima facie

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin prīmā faciē (ablative singular of prīma faciēs); see origin at prime, facies

Words that may be confused with prima facie

ad hoc, a posteriori, a priori, ex post facto, prima facie

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prima facie in a sentence

prima facie, the verdict here is less favorable than in the previous case.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur Phillips
The better view developed was that interference is prima facie unlawful but may be justified.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United States | Selig Perlman
This would seem prima facie to be an almost impossible and perfectly meaningless restriction on marriage.
The Secret of the Totem | Andrew Lang
A prima facie case was made out and an order sent for his extradition.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 5, 1920 | Various
Aggression becomes the accredited form of action, and booty serves as prima facie evidence of successful aggression.
The Theory of the Leisure Class | Thorstein Veblen

British Dictionary definitions for prima facie

prima facie

/ (ˈpraɪmə ˈfeɪʃɪ) /

at first sight; as it seems at first

Origin of prima facie

C15: from Latin, from prīmus first + faciēs face

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse