prey
gb/pɹˈeɪ/ us/pɹˈeɪ/
A2
English
~ 3400
zsákmány, vadászik, kihasznál
NOUN
A2
1
zsákmány
B1
Usage pattern:
[animal] is prey for [animal]
The rabbit is common prey for foxes.
A nyúl a rókák gyakori zsákmánya.
Sharks often target seals as their prey.
A cápák gyakran a fókákat szemelik ki zsákmányul.
In the wild, predators rely on their prey for survival.
Owls hunt small mammals as prey.
The lion silently stalked its prey before attacking.
Learner examples
A cat catches mice as prey.
A macska egereket kap el zsákmányként.
Fish are prey for bigger fish.
A halak zsákmányul szolgálnak a nagyobb halaknak.
The bird eats insects as its prey.
Wolves hunt deer as prey.
A snake waits for its prey.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prey' (animal being hunted) with 'pray' (to speak to a god).
Meaning
Animal hunted for food
Collocations
natural prey
|easy prey
|become prey
|hunt prey
|predator and prey
Synonyms
victim (Used in a broader sense for any living thing harmed, not just in hunting.)
Antonyms
predator (The hunter in the predator-prey relationship.)
Themes
nature
|wildlife
|biology
|animals
Definition
An animal that another animal catches and eats.
An animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food.
VERB
B1
2
vadászik
A2
Usage pattern:
to prey on [animal]
Lions prey on zebras and wildebeest.
Az oroszlánok zebrákra és gnúkra vadásznak.
Owls prey on rodents during the night.
A baglyok éjszaka rágcsálókra vadásznak.
Some spiders prey on insects caught in their webs.
The shark preys on seals along the coast.
Snakes often prey on birds' eggs.
Learner examples
Cats prey on mice.
A macskák egerekre vadásznak.
Eagles prey on small animals.
A sasok kisebb állatokra vadásznak.
Spiders prey on flies.
Sharks prey on fish.
Frogs prey on insects.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'prey on' with 'pray for', which has a completely different meaning.
Meaning
Hunt and kill for food
Collocations
prey on small animals
|prey on fish
|predators prey on
Synonyms
hunt (Focuses on the act of pursuing; may not include eating.)
Antonyms
graze (Describes feeding on plants, not hunting animals.)
Themes
nature
|wildlife
|animals
Definition
To catch and eat another animal.
To hunt, catch, and eat another animal for food.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to prey on [someone]
Online scammers prey on people who don't know about internet fraud.
Az online csalók kihasználják azokat, akik nincsenek tisztában az internetes csalásokkal.
The gang preys on tourists in the city center.
A banda a belvárosban a turistákra vadászik.
Fraudsters often prey on the elderly.
Criminals prey on those without strong defenses.
He was accused of preying on vulnerable immigrants.
Learner examples
Bad people prey on old people.
A rossz emberek kihasználják az idős embereket.
Scammers prey on new internet users.
A csalók kihasználják a kezdő internethasználókat.
Thieves prey on tourists.
Criminals prey on weak people.
Fraudsters prey on the poor.
Common mistake:
Some learners may think 'prey on' always means hunting animals, but it can also mean taking advantage of people.
Meaning
Exploit or harm the weak
Collocations
prey on the elderly
|prey on the vulnerable
|scammers prey on
Synonyms
exploit (Focuses on using someone unfairly; broader than 'prey'.)
Antonyms
protect (To keep someone safe instead of harming them.)
Themes
crime
|social issues
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To hurt or trick someone weaker to get something from them.
To take advantage of, harm, or cheat someone who is weaker or more vulnerable for personal benefit.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prey
IPA
GB/pɹˈeɪ/
US/pɹˈeɪ/
Syllables & stress
prey (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (prey)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prey
- Plural: prey
Verb
- Base: prey
- 3rd Person Singular: preys
- Present Participle: preying
- Past: preyed
Word family
Forms
preys
verb
preying
verb
preyed
verb
Core family
predator
noun B1
Related words
predatory
adjective
predation
noun
Expressions
easy prey
1/ˈizi pɹˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
Easily caught or deceived target
Someone or something that is easy to catch or trick.
Examples
- Without a guard dog, the farm was easy prey for thieves.
- Children can be easy prey for online predators.
fall prey to
1/fˈɔl pɹˈeɪ tə/
idiom
Become victim of something bad
To be harmed or badly affected by someone or something.
Examples
- Many investors fell prey to the scam.
- She fell prey to an online dating fraud.
prey on one's mind
1/pɹˈeɪ ˈɔn wˈʌnz mˈaɪnd/
idiom
Cause ongoing worry or anxiety
To make someone keep feeling worried or upset about something.
Examples
- The accident has been preying on his mind for weeks.
- Her mistake at work still preys on her mind.