prior
gb/pɹˈaɪɚ/ us/pɹˈaɪɚ/
B1
English
~ 2200
előzetes, előző, előtt, korábbi, korábbi elítélés, priusz, perjel
B1
1
Usage pattern:
prior to [something]
You must have prior approval before entering the building.
Az épületbe csak előzetes engedéllyel léphetsz be.
I had no prior knowledge of the event.
Nem volt előzetes tudomásom az eseményről.
The contract was signed prior to the meeting.
Prior experience in teaching is preferred for this job.
She finished her work prior to the deadline.
Learner examples
I met him prior to the class.
Az óra előtt találkoztam vele.
We spoke prior to the game.
A meccs előtt beszéltünk.
You need prior permission to enter.
I had prior plans for the evening.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prior' with 'priority'. 'Prior' refers to something earlier in time, while 'priority' means something more important.
Meaning
Happening earlier in time
Collocations
prior to
|prior experience
|prior knowledge
|prior notice
Synonyms
previous (Very similar; 'previous' is more common in everyday speech, while 'prior' can sound slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
subsequent (Refers to something that happens after, making it the opposite in terms of time sequence.)
Themes
time
|sequence
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening or existing before something else in time.
Happening, existing, or arranged before something else in time or order.
NOUN
B2
2
priusz
B2
The defendant had two priors on his record.
A vádlottnak két korábbi elítélése szerepelt a nyilvántartásában.
Because of his priors, the judge gave him a harsher sentence.
Korábbi elítélései miatt a bíró súlyosabb büntetést szabott ki rá.
Her prior was for petty theft.
Police discovered he had several priors for burglary.
Learner examples
He has a prior for robbery.
Rablásért már van egy korábbi elítélése.
The man has two priors.
A férfinak két korábbi elítélése van.
She was arrested but had no priors.
The judge saw his priors.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'prior' as a noun can mean any previous event; in legal English it specifically refers to past convictions.
Meaning
Previous criminal conviction
Collocations
have a prior
|prior conviction
|prior offense
Synonyms
previous conviction (Direct equivalent; slightly more formal and explicit than 'prior' used alone.)
Antonyms
clean record (Means having no previous convictions, opposite of having a 'prior'.)
Themes
law
|crime
Definition
A crime someone has been found guilty of before.
A previous criminal conviction, especially one that may be considered in legal proceedings.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
perjel
C2
The Prior welcomed visitors to the monastery.
A perjel fogadta a látogatókat a kolostorban.
In medieval times, the Prior managed the daily affairs of the priory.
A középkorban a perjel intézte a kolostor mindennapi ügyeit.
The monks elected a new Prior after the old one retired.
Learner examples
The Prior spoke to the monks.
A perjel beszélt a szerzetesekhez.
We met the Prior at the church.
A templomban találkoztunk a perjellel.
The Prior leads the monastery.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'prior' in this sense with the adjective meaning 'earlier', as they are unrelated meanings.
Meaning
Head of a priory or monastery
Collocations
the Prior of [place]
|monastery prior
Synonyms
monastic superior (General term for someone in charge of a monastery; not specific to rank below abbot.)
Themes
religion
|history
Definition
A leader in some religious houses, below an abbot.
The head of a priory or a monastery, ranking below an abbot in certain religious orders.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prior
IPA
GB/pɹˈaɪɚ/
US/pɹˈaɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
pri - or (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pri)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: prior
Noun
- Base: prior
- Plural: priors
Word family
Forms
priors
noun
Core family
priority
noun B1
prioritize
verb B2
Negative and opposite forms
subsequent
adjective B2
subsequently
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
prioritization
noun
Expressions
prior to
1/pɹˈaɪɚ tə/
fixed phrase
Before a specific event/time
Before something happens or before a certain time.
Examples
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
- They met for coffee prior to the interview.