prime
gb/pɹˈaɪm/ us/pɹˈaɪm/
B1
English
~ 900
kiváló, első számú, fénykor, ereje telje, előkészít, felkészít, lealapoz, prím, prímszám
B1
1
kiváló
B1
első számú
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is prime [thing]
This restaurant is in a prime location downtown.
Ez az étterem kiváló helyen van a belvárosban.
She is the prime candidate for the job.
Ő az első számú jelölt az állásra.
The report gives a prime example of the problem.
We have a prime opportunity to expand our business.
He bought the land at a prime price.
Learner examples
This is a prime seat for watching the show.
Ez egy kiváló ülőhely az előadás megtekintéséhez.
He is the prime person for this work.
Ő a legalkalmasabb ember erre a munkára.
We saw a prime example in the book.
That shop is in a prime place.
She found a prime chance to speak.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prime' with 'primary'; 'primary' means first in order or importance, while 'prime' often emphasizes quality or suitability.
Meaning
Best or most important
Collocations
prime example
|prime location
|prime candidate
|prime time
|prime target
Synonyms
top (Informal term meaning of the highest quality.)
|
excellent (Means very good, but less about importance.)
Antonyms
poor (Refers to low quality.)
|
inferior (Means lower in quality or value.)
Themes
quality
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very good or the best in quality or importance.
Of the highest quality, value, or importance.
NOUN
B2
2
fénykor
B2
ereje telje
B2
Usage pattern:
in the prime of [life/career]
She was in her prime when she won the award.
Akkor volt a fénykorában, amikor elnyerte a díjat.
Athletes usually compete best in their prime.
A sportolók általában erejük teljében versenyeznek a legjobban.
He is past his prime as a player.
This building was built in the city's prime.
They met in the prime of their youth.
Learner examples
She is in her prime now.
Most van ereje teljében.
He was past his prime as a singer.
Énekesként már túl volt a fénykorán.
I am in the prime of my life.
The team played in their prime years.
That was the prime of her career.
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'prime' here means 'first', but it refers to the best period of ability.
Meaning
Best period of life or ability
Collocations
in your prime
|prime of life
|past your prime
Synonyms
peak (Often used for performance or career height.)
|
heyday (Informal; refers to the most successful time.)
Antonyms
decline (A period when strength or success is decreasing.)
Themes
life stages
|personal development
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The time when someone is strongest, most active, or most successful.
The time in a person's life when they are at their strongest, most active, or most successful.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to prime [something/someone] for [purpose]
He primed the walls before painting.
Festés előtt lealapozta a falakat.
The coach primed the team for the big game.
Az edző felkészítette a csapatot a nagy mérkőzésre.
She was primed for success by her years of training.
I need to prime the engine before starting it.
They primed him with background information before the meeting.
Learner examples
I primed the wall before painting it.
Festés előtt lealapoztam a falat.
The teacher primed us for the test.
A tanár felkészített minket a dolgozatra.
He primed the pump with water.
She was primed for the race.
They primed me with facts before the talk.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'prime' with 'prune' due to similar sounds, but meanings differ greatly.
Meaning
Prepare for use or action
Collocations
prime a pump
|prime a surface
|prime someone for an interview
Synonyms
prepare (More general and common word for making ready.)
|
ready (Informal; to make ready for use.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failing to prepare something properly.)
Themes
preparation
|work
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
To get something or someone ready to use or do something.
To make something or someone ready for a particular use, purpose, or action.
B1
TECHNICAL
4
Seven is a prime number.
A hét prímszám.
Two is the only even prime number.
A kettő az egyetlen páros prímszám.
Prime numbers are important in cryptography.
Eleven is prime, but twelve is not.
Learner examples
Three is a prime number.
A három prímszám.
Five is prime.
Az öt prím.
Two is a prime number.
Seven is prime.
Eleven is a prime number.
Meaning
Number divisible only by 1 and itself
Collocations
prime number
Synonyms
irreducible number (Mathematical term; less common than 'prime number'.)
Antonyms
composite number (A number that has factors other than 1 and itself.)
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
Definition
A number that can only be divided by 1 and itself without leaving a remainder.
(Of a number) divisible only by itself and one, having no other positive divisors.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prime
IPA
GB/pɹˈaɪm/
US/pɹˈaɪm/
Syllables & stress
prime (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (prime)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: prime
Noun
- Base: prime
- Plural: prime, primes
Verb
- Base: prime
- 3rd Person Singular: primes
- Present Participle: priming
- Past: primed
Word family
Expressions
in your prime
1/ˈɪn jˈʊɹ pɹˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
At your best time in life
At the time when you are strongest, most active, or most successful.
Examples
- She was in her prime when she started her own company.
- Many athletes retire while still in their prime.
past your prime
1/pˈæst jˈʊɹ pɹˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
No longer at your best stage
When you are not as strong, active, or successful as before.
Examples
- He felt past his prime after retiring from sports.
- Some believe singers are past their prime by age forty.
prime example
1/pɹˈaɪm ɪɡzˈæmpəl/
fixed phrase
Best or typical example
A very good or clear example of something.
Examples
- This painting is a prime example of his early work.
- That case is a prime example of why we need new laws.
prime time
1/pɹˈaɪm tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
Peak TV viewing hours
The time when most people watch television and shows are most popular.
Examples
- The show airs during prime time on Fridays.
- Advertisers pay more for slots in prime time.