verb
Uncommon
prioritize
preye-OR-uh-tyz
Prioritize (verb) means to treat something as more important than other things, or to arrange tasks in order of importance. Example: “You need to prioritize sleep if you want to perform well at work.”
verb
1
To treat something as more important than other things, or to arrange tasks in order of importance.
"You need to prioritize sleep if you want to perform well at work."
"The manager asked the team to prioritize the urgent tickets first."
How to use prioritize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo decide what matters most and deal with that first.
UK vs US
Also spelled prioritise in British English.
Common pairings
prioritize tasks
prioritize health
learn to prioritize
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- prioritizes
- Past tense
- prioritized
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You need to _____ sleep if you want to perform well at work.
Etymology
Formed from priority plus -ize; first recorded in American government jargon around 1967, and long criticized by usage purists as bureaucratic.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
marginalize
disfocus
Related words
Rhymes for prioritize
See all rhymes for prioritize →Frequently asked questions
What does “prioritize” mean?
The word “prioritize” means to treat something as more important than other things, or to arrange tasks in order of importance. In plain terms, to decide what matters most and deal with that first.
How do you pronounce “prioritize”?
“Prioritize” is pronounced preye-OR-uh-tyz (/pɹaɪˈoɹ.ə.taɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “prioritize” in a sentence?
Here is “prioritize” used in a sentence: “You need to prioritize sleep if you want to perform well at work.”
What is the opposite of “prioritize”?
The opposite of “prioritize” — its antonyms — are marginalize and disfocus.
What part of speech is “prioritize”?
“Prioritize” is a verb.
Where does the word “prioritize” come from?
The word “prioritize” dates back to around 1967. Formed from priority plus -ize; first recorded in American government jargon around 1967, and long criticized by usage purists as bureaucratic.
Is “prioritize” a common word?
“Prioritize” is an uncommon word in modern English.
