interjection

prego

PRAY-goh

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Prego (interjection) means an Italian word used to reply to a thank-you, meaning "you're welcome", and also to invite someone to go ahead, sit down or help themselves. Example: “I said grazie and the waiter answered prego.”

interjection

An Italian word used to reply to a thank-you, meaning "you're welcome", and also to invite someone to go ahead, sit down or help themselves.

"I said grazie and the waiter answered prego."

"She held the door open and said, "Prego.""

adjective

slang Pregnant. Informal English slang, often jokey.

"Two months into the trip she found out she was prego."

"Don't tell anyone yet, but she's prego."

How to use prego

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn Italian it means "you're welcome"; in English slang it means pregnant.

When to use it

The Italian sense is polite and everyday in Italy. The "pregnant" sense is casual English slang and can sound flippant.

Memory tip

In Italy prego does a lot of jobs: you're welcome, after you, come in, go ahead, and "how can I help?" in a shop.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

prego vs per favore prego vs pronto

Common pairings

grazie — prego prego, si accomodi she's prego

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “prego” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

I said grazie and the waiter answered _____.

Etymology

Italian prego, literally "I pray", the first-person form of pregare "to pray, to beg", from Latin precari.

Origin: Italian

Synonyms

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you're welcome after you please, go ahead not at all pregnant expecting knocked up with child

Related words

No significant quick hoping pregnant expecting pregnancy productive

Rhymes for prego

ego Lego fuego Diego forego

See all rhymes for prego →

Frequently asked questions

What does prego mean in Italian?

Most often "you're welcome", said in reply to grazie. It is also used to mean "please go ahead", "after you" or "come in", and shopkeepers use it to mean "what can I get you?"

What is the difference between prego and per favore?

Per favore is "please" when you are asking for something. Prego is the reply or the invitation: you say per favore when requesting, prego when granting or when someone thanks you.

Does prego mean pregnant?

Only in informal English slang, where prego is a jokey shortening of pregnant. It has no such meaning in Italian.

What is the meaning of prego?

"prego" (interjection) means an Italian word used to reply to a thank-you, meaning "you're welcome", and also to invite someone to go ahead, sit down or help themselves.

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No significant quick hoping pregnant expecting pregnancy productive