noun

prig

prihg

noun

A person who is smugly self-righteous about proper behaviour, to an irritating degree.

"Nobody wanted him at the party — he was too much of a prig about table manners."

"Don't be such a prig; loosen up and enjoy yourself."

How to Use Prig

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who acts self-righteously proper and looks down on others for not being as prim and correct.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with prim (an adjective describing overly formal behaviour) — prig is the noun for the person who behaves that way.

Easily confused with

prim →

Common pairings

a self-righteous prig act like a prig

prigged past tense, prigs plural, prigs singular

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Nobody wanted him at the party — he was too much of a _____ about table manners.

First recorded in 16th-century Britain; the exact origin is unknown, though it may be linked to older slang senses meaning "thief" or "tinker."

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