prior

The word “prior” means coming before in time or order; earlier. In plain terms, happening or existing before something else — or, in religious life, a rank of monastic official.

“Prior” is pronounced PREYE-uh (/ˈpɹaɪ.(ə)ɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “prior” used in a sentence: “She had no prior experience in retail before this job.”

Depending on how it is used, “prior” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “prior” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin prior, meaning "earlier" or "former" — related to before, fore, and former.

“Prior” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Prior” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: coming before in time or order; earlier.

They are close synonyms and often interchangeable. 'Prior' is a little more formal and can suggest greater importance or precedence, as in 'a prior commitment.' 'Previous' simply means the one before. In the phrase 'prior to,' 'prior' functions as a formal way of saying 'before.'

'Prior to' simply means 'before.' 'Please arrive prior to nine o'clock' means arrive before nine. It is a more formal alternative, common in business and official writing. Many editors prefer the plainer 'before' in everyday use, but 'prior to' is perfectly correct.

The main opposites are 'subsequent,' 'following,' and 'later,' all describing what comes afterward rather than before. If a prior event happened earlier, a subsequent event happens after it. The prefix 'post,' as in 'post-war,' carries the same after-the-fact meaning, pointing to what follows.