prime
1 antonym for prime — opposites grouped by meaning.
Adj — Of the highest quality or importance; excellent.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Of the highest quality or importance; excellent.
“The restaurant is in a prime location, right beside the main station.”
2. adj
(mathematics) Of a number, divisible only by itself and one.
“Eleven is a prime number, so you cannot split it into equal groups.”
Opposites
Antonyms
How to use prime
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
prime example
prime number
prime real estate
prime the pump
prime minister
Etymology
From Old French prime, from Latin prīmus ("first"), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "before" or "in front."
Full origin of prime →Frequently asked questions
What does “prime” mean?
The word “prime” means of the highest quality or importance; excellent. In plain terms, at its best or most important, being a number only divisible by itself and one, or getting something ready beforehand.
How do you pronounce “prime”?
“Prime” is pronounced prym (/pɹaɪ̯m/ in IPA).
How do you use “prime” in a sentence?
Here is “prime” used in a sentence: “This waterfront lot is prime real estate.”
What part of speech is “prime”?
Depending on how it is used, “prime” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “prime” come from?
The word “prime” comes from Latin. From Old French prime, from Latin prīmus ("first"), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "before" or "in front.".
Is “prime” a common word?
“Prime” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “prime” have?
“Prime” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of the highest quality or importance; excellent.
What is the difference between "prime" and "primary"?
"Prime" means of the highest quality or greatest importance, as in prime beef or a prime example. "Primary" means first in order or most basic, as in primary school or primary colors. They overlap around the idea of "main," but prime stresses excellence while primary stresses being first.
What does "prime" mean in different contexts?
As an adjective, "prime" means top quality or chief importance, as in a prime location, prime suspect, or prime time. In mathematics, a prime number is divisible only by one and itself. As a verb, to prime means to prepare something, such as priming a wall before painting.
Is "prime" a positive word?
As an adjective, yes, since it strongly signals the best or most desirable, as in prime real estate, prime condition, or being in one's prime. The mainly neutral uses are technical, such as a "prime number" in mathematics or "priming" a surface, where it just means first or to prepare.
What is an example of "prime" in a sentence?
"The shop is in a prime location downtown" means the best, most desirable spot. "He's a prime example of hard work" means an ideal, standout case. Both show "prime" used to mean of the highest quality or importance.
