prior

[ prahy-er ]

/ ˈpraɪ ər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for prior on Thesaurus.com

adjective

preceding in time or in order; earlier or former; previous: A prior agreement prevents me from accepting this.

preceding in importance or privilege.

noun

Informal. a prior conviction.

OTHER WORDS FOR prior

1 anterior, antecedent.

See synonyms for prior on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about prior

prior to, preceding; before: Prior to that time, buffalo had roamed the Great Plains in tremendous numbers.

Origin of prior

1705–15; <Latin: former, elder, superior (adj.), before (adv.); akin to prime, pre-

OTHER WORDS FROM prior

pri·or·ly, adverb

Words nearby prior

print-through, print unions, printwheel, printworks, prion, prior, priorate, prioress, prioritize, priority, priority mail

Other definitions for prior (2 of 3)

prior²

[ prahy-er ]

/ ˈpraɪ ər /

noun

an officer in a monastic order or religious house, sometimes next in rank below an abbot.

a chief magistrate, as in the medieval republic of Florence.

Origin of prior

before 1100; Middle English, late Old English <Medieval Latin, Late Latin: one superior in rank; noun use of priorprior¹

OTHER WORDS FROM prior

pri·or·ship, nounsub·pri·or·ship, noun

Other definitions for prior (3 of 3)

Prior

[ prahy-er ]

/ ˈpraɪ ər /

noun

Matthew, 1664–1721, English poet.

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

How to use prior in a sentence

In some ways, it is a game with all the same key components as prior Zelda games.
‘Pokémon Legends Arceus’ is the game mainline Pokémon fans have been begging for|Jhaan Elker|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
You’ve likely tried on both types of garments in your lifetime, so use that prior knowledge to make a decision, and leave the tags on until you’re sure.
Best snow pants to keep you cozy (and active) all winter long|PopSci Commerce Team|February 25, 2021|Popular-Science
“It was a decision our team made prior to the season as a call to action and empowerment against racial inequalities and injustices,” Shay said.
In Tennessee, GOP senators seek to ban protests during anthem, raising legal concerns|Glynn A. Hill|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
She already was the subject of a terrorism investigation connected to social media posts from years prior.
The 'Badass Chief of Staff' of Turkey's Opposition Faces Years in Jail After Challenging Erdogan's Power. She's Not Backing Down|Joseph Hincks / Istanbul|February 24, 2021|Time

It’s not like Naz Hillmon was struggling prior to the 2020-21 season.
The Pandemic Hasn’t Stopped These Four Rising Stars In College Basketball|Howard Megdal|February 23, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
He was one of few outspoken activists in Syria prior to the uprising that took a place in March of 2011.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, he was in contact with Lansky prior to converging from the hillside onto the streets of Havana.
Will Hyman Roth Return to Havana With Normalized Relations?|John L. Smith|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That gross abuse should be among the products of such all-prior-bets-are-off decision making is hardly surprising.
Why Did We Panic After 9/11 and Ignore All We Knew About Responding to Security Threats?|Deborah Pearlstein|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“In the months prior to that, when we started taking prisoners [in Afghanistan], we were improvising,” he said.
CIA Interrogation Chief: ‘Rectal Feeding,’ Broken Limbs Are News to Me|Kimberly Dozier|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And prior to that day, it shocked me a lot, it shocked me a lot.
90 Seconds of Fury in Ferguson Are the Key to Making Peace in America|Michael Daly|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This system had been in full operation in both districts prior to the general application of the voluntary system.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Fifteen years prior to the commencement of our story, Dorothy had been found by farmer Rushmere on the wild common fronting them.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
A former chapter speaks of promises to pay certain savings by the use of Trevithick's inventions prior to his leaving for America.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
Nor can the insured protect himself by canceling the prior policy if he breaks the condition.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
He again renewed his offer, and entreated her to allow the marriage ceremony at once to be performed by his brother the prior.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for prior (1 of 3)

prior¹

/ (ˈpraɪə) /

adjective

(prenominal) previous; preceding

prior to before; until

noun

statistics a prior probability

Word Origin for prior

C18: from Latin: previous

British Dictionary definitions for prior (2 of 3)

prior²

/ (ˈpraɪə) /

noun

the superior of a house and community in certain religious orders

the deputy head of a monastery or abbey, ranking immediately below the abbot

(formerly) a chief magistrate in medieval Florence and other Italian republics

Word Origin for prior

C11: from Late Latin: head, from Latin (adj): previous, from Old Latin pri before

British Dictionary definitions for prior (3 of 3)

Prior

/ (ˈpraɪə) /

noun

Matthew. 1664–1721, English poet and diplomat, noted for his epigrammatic occasional verse

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

prior

OTHER WORDS FOR prior

Idioms about prior

Origin of prior

OTHER WORDS FROM prior

Words nearby prior

Other definitions for prior (2 of 3)

Origin of prior

OTHER WORDS FROM prior

Other definitions for prior (3 of 3)

Words related to prior

How to use prior in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prior (1 of 3)

Word Origin for prior

British Dictionary definitions for prior (2 of 3)

Word Origin for prior

British Dictionary definitions for prior (3 of 3)