prior
gb/pɹˈaɪɚ/ us/pɹˈaɪɚ/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
relation
1
Happening earlier in time
Happening or existing before something else in time.
Usage pattern:
prior to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prior' with 'priority'. 'Prior' refers to something earlier in time, while 'priority' means something more important.
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.)
Collocations
prior to
|prior experience
|prior knowledge
|prior notice
Themes
time
|sequence
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You must have prior approval before entering the building.
- I had no prior knowledge of the event.
- 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.
- We spoke prior to the game.
- You need prior permission to enter.
- I had prior plans for the evening.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Previous criminal conviction
A crime someone has been found guilty of before.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'prior' as a noun can mean any previous event; in legal English it specifically refers to past convictions.
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'.)
Collocations
have a prior
|prior conviction
|prior offense
Themes
law
|crime
Examples
- The defendant had two priors on his record.
- Because of his priors, the judge gave him a harsher sentence.
- Her prior was for petty theft.
- Police discovered he had several priors for burglary.
Learner examples
- He has a prior for robbery.
- The man has two priors.
- She was arrested but had no priors.
- The judge saw his priors.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
Head of a priory or monastery
A leader in some religious houses, below an abbot.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'prior' in this sense with the adjective meaning 'earlier', as they are unrelated meanings.
Synonyms
monastic superior (General term for someone in charge of a monastery; not specific to rank below abbot.)
Collocations
the Prior of [place]
|monastery prior
Themes
religion
|history
Examples
- The Prior welcomed visitors to the monastery.
- In medieval times, the Prior managed the daily affairs of the priory.
- The monks elected a new Prior after the old one retired.
Learner examples
- The Prior spoke to the monks.
- We met the Prior at the church.
- The Prior leads the monastery.
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.