prior
PREYE-uh
Prior (adj) means coming before in time or order; earlier. Example: “You need prior permission from the owner before you camp on this land.”
adj
1
Coming before in time or order; earlier.
"You need prior permission from the owner before you camp on this land."
"She had no prior experience in retail before this job."
"The meeting was rescheduled due to a prior commitment."
noun
1
A senior member of a religious order, ranking just below an abbot.
"The prior led the evening prayers in the quiet stone chapel."
"Visitors asked the prior for permission to see the monastery library."
"The prior welcomed the visiting monks into the monastery."
How to use prior
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening or existing before something else — or, in religious life, a rank of monastic official.
Common mistake
"Prior to" is a somewhat formal way of saying "before"; in everyday speech, "before" usually reads more naturally.
Common pairings
prior to
prior experience
prior commitment
prior notice
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Word forms
- Plural
- priors
- Comparative
- more prior
- Superlative
- most prior
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You need _____ permission from the owner before you camp on this land.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin prior, meaning "earlier" or "former" — related to before, fore, and former.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for prior
See all rhymes for prior →Frequently asked questions
What does “prior” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “prior”?
“Prior” is pronounced PREYE-uh (/ˈpɹaɪ.(ə)ɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “prior” in a sentence?
Here is “prior” used in a sentence: “She had no prior experience in retail before this job.”
What part of speech is “prior”?
Depending on how it is used, “prior” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “prior” come from?
The word “prior” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin prior, meaning "earlier" or "former" — related to before, fore, and former.
Is “prior” a common word?
“Prior” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “prior” have?
“Prior” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: coming before in time or order; earlier.
What is the difference between 'prior' and 'previous'?
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.'
What does 'prior to' mean?
'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.
What is the opposite of 'prior'?
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.
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