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noun

prelim

PREE-lihm

Prelim (noun) means a preliminary event, exam, or round that comes before the main one. Example: “She passed her prelims before starting the final year of her degree.”

noun
1
A preliminary event, exam, or round that comes before the main one.
"She passed her prelims before starting the final year of her degree."
"The undercard prelim fights started an hour before the main event."

How to use prelim

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA casual short form of "preliminary," usually meaning an early test or a warm-up match.

When to use it

Informal; common in student and sports slang.

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She passed her _____ before starting the final year of her degree.

Etymology

A shortened form of preliminary, originally Oxford University slang for a preliminary exam.

preliminary preliminary exam preliminary examination

Related words

Rhymes for prelim

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Frequently asked questions

What does “prelim” mean?

The word “prelim” means a preliminary event, exam, or round that comes before the main one. In plain terms, a casual short form of "preliminary," usually meaning an early test or a warm-up match.

How do you pronounce “prelim”?

“Prelim” is pronounced PREE-lihm (/priˈlɪm/ in IPA).

How do you use “prelim” in a sentence?

Here is “prelim” used in a sentence: “She passed her prelims before starting the final year of her degree.”

What part of speech is “prelim”?

“Prelim” is a noun.

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