prisoner
PRIH-zuh-nuh
Prisoner (noun) means someone locked up in prison, whether awaiting trial or serving a sentence. Example: “Each prisoner was allowed one visitor a week.”
noun
1
Someone locked up in prison, whether awaiting trial or serving a sentence.
"Each prisoner was allowed one visitor a week."
"The prisoner studied for a degree while serving his sentence."
"The prisoner was released after ten years for good behavior."
2
Anyone held against their will, not necessarily in a jail.
"The sailors were taken prisoner and held on the enemy ship for a week."
"The kidnappers kept their prisoner locked in a remote farmhouse."
"The hostages were kept as prisoners in the basement for three days."
3
Figuratively, someone who feels trapped by their circumstances.
"Fear had made her a prisoner in her own home."
"Stuck in a job he hated, he felt like a prisoner of his own bills."
"He became a prisoner of his own routine."
How to use prisoner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone being held captive — in an actual prison, or just in a situation they can't escape.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
take someone prisoner
prisoner of war
former prisoner
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like prisoner.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- prisoners
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Each _____ was allowed one visitor a week.
Etymology
From Old French prisonier, built from prison plus the agent suffix -er — literally "one who is imprisoned."
Related words
Rhymes for prisoner
See all rhymes for prisoner →Frequently asked questions
What does “prisoner” mean?
The word “prisoner” means someone locked up in prison, whether awaiting trial or serving a sentence. In plain terms, someone being held captive — in an actual prison, or just in a situation they can't escape.
How do you pronounce “prisoner”?
“Prisoner” is pronounced PRIH-zuh-nuh (/ˈpɹɪzənɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “prisoner” in a sentence?
Here is “prisoner” used in a sentence: “The prisoner was released after ten years for good behavior.”
What is another word for “prisoner”?
Words with a similar meaning to “prisoner” include inmate and guest of Her Majesty.
What part of speech is “prisoner”?
“Prisoner” is a noun.
Where does the word “prisoner” come from?
The word “prisoner” comes from Old French. From Old French prisonier, built from prison plus the agent suffix -er — literally "one who is imprisoned.".
Is “prisoner” a common word?
“Prisoner” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “prisoner” have?
“Prisoner” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone locked up in prison, whether awaiting trial or serving a sentence.
What is the difference between a "prisoner" and a "captive"?
A "prisoner" is typically someone held in a prison, whether awaiting trial or serving a sentence, though it can also describe anyone held against their will. A "captive" more strongly emphasises being seized and held by force, often outside the legal system, such as a hostage or someone taken in war.
What is the difference between a "prisoner" and an "inmate"?
Both refer to people confined in prison, but "inmate" is a more neutral, institutional term that can also apply to people in hospitals or other facilities. "Prisoner" points specifically to someone held in custody and can also be used figuratively for anyone held against their will.
Can "prisoner" be used figuratively?
Yes. Beyond the legal sense, "prisoner" can describe anyone held against their will or trapped by circumstances, as in "a prisoner of her own fears" or "a prisoner in his own home." In these uses no actual jail is involved.
What is a "prisoner of war"?
A "prisoner of war," often shortened to POW, is a member of an armed force who is captured and held by the enemy during a conflict. It is a fixed phrase that shows how "prisoner" applies to people detained against their will, not only to those held in a civilian prison.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include prisoner:
