prime
gb/pɹˈaɪm/ us/pɹˈaɪm/
B1
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Best or most important
Very good or the best in quality or importance.
Usage pattern:
[something] is prime [thing]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prime' with 'primary'; 'primary' means first in order or importance, while 'prime' often emphasizes quality or suitability.
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.)
Collocations
prime example
|prime location
|prime candidate
|prime time
|prime target
Themes
quality
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This restaurant is in a prime location downtown.
- She is the prime candidate for the job.
- 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.
- He is the prime person for this work.
- We saw a prime example in the book.
- That shop is in a prime place.
- She found a prime chance to speak.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Best period of life or ability
The time when someone is strongest, most active, or most successful.
Usage pattern:
in the prime of [life/career]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'prime' here means 'first', but it refers to the best period of ability.
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.)
Collocations
in your prime
|prime of life
|past your prime
Themes
life stages
|personal development
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was in her prime when she won the award.
- Athletes usually compete best in their prime.
- 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.
- He was past his prime as a singer.
- I am in the prime of my life.
- The team played in their prime years.
- That was the prime of her career.
Verb
B2
action
3
Prepare for use or action
To get something or someone ready to use or do something.
Usage pattern:
to prime [something/someone] for [purpose]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'prime' with 'prune' due to similar sounds, but meanings differ greatly.
Synonyms
prepare (More general and common word for making ready.)
|
ready (Informal; to make ready for use.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failing to prepare something properly.)
Collocations
prime a pump
|prime a surface
|prime someone for an interview
Themes
preparation
|work
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- He primed the walls before painting.
- The coach primed the team for the big game.
- 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.
- The teacher primed us for the test.
- He primed the pump with water.
- She was primed for the race.
- They primed me with facts before the talk.
adjective
technical
B1
property
4
Number divisible only by 1 and itself
A number that can only be divided by 1 and itself without leaving a remainder.
Synonyms
irreducible number (Mathematical term; less common than 'prime number'.)
Antonyms
composite number (A number that has factors other than 1 and itself.)
Collocations
prime number
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
Examples
- Seven is a prime number.
- Two is the only even prime number.
- Prime numbers are important in cryptography.
- Eleven is prime, but twelve is not.
Learner examples
- Three is a prime number.
- Five is prime.
- Two is a prime number.
- Seven is prime.
- Eleven is a prime number.
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.