prom
gb/pɹˈɑm/ us/pɹˈɑm/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
high school formal dance
A special school party with dancing, usually at the end of the year.
Usage pattern:
go to (the) prom; at prom; prom + [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may assume prom happens in all countries; in many places it is mainly a US/Canadian tradition.
Synonyms
school dance (More general; not necessarily formal or end-of-year.)
|
formal (Often used for a similar school event, but not the same in every school.)
Collocations
go to prom
|prom date
|prom night
|prom dress
|prom tux
|prom photos
|prom committee
|prom ticket
|prom theme
|after-prom party
Themes
school
|relationships
|celebrations
|youth_culture
Examples
- She bought her prom dress months in advance.
- He asked Maya to prom during lunch.
- They took photos outside the gym before heading in to prom.
Learner examples
- I am going to prom on Saturday.
- She went to prom with her friends.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
2
seaside promenade walkway
A wide path by the sea where people walk.
Usage pattern:
on the prom; along the prom; the prom at/in [place]
Common mistake:
This use is mainly British and is short for promenade.
Synonyms
promenade (The full, more formal word.)
|
seafront (The area by the sea in general, not specifically the walkway.)
Collocations
walk along the prom
|the seafront prom
|the prom at the beach
|sit on the prom
|cycle along the prom
|prom railings
|prom cafés
Themes
travel
|places
|daily_life
Examples
- We walked along the prom after dinner and watched the sunset.
- There are cafés and benches all the way down the prom.
- A strong wind was blowing in off the sea as they crossed the prom.
Learner examples
- We walked on the prom by the sea.
Noun
C1
event
3
British summer concert series
A famous summer series of classical music concerts in the UK.
Usage pattern:
the Proms; a Prom concert; at the Proms
Common mistake:
Do not confuse the Proms (concerts) with a school prom (dance).
Collocations
the BBC Proms
|Prom concert
|the Last Night of the Proms
|attend the Proms
|Prom season
Themes
music
|arts
|uk_culture
|events
Examples
- They got standing tickets for a Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.
- She watches the Last Night of the Proms on TV every year.
- The orchestra is playing at the Proms this summer.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prom
IPA
GB/pɹˈɑm/
US/pɹˈɑm/
Syllables & stress
prom (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (prom)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prom
- Plural: proms
Word family
Forms
proms
noun
Related words
promenade
noun C1
Expressions
ask someone to prom
1/ˈæsk sˈʌmwˌʌn tə pɹˈɑm/
fixed phrase
invite someone as prom date
To invite someone to go to prom with you.
Examples
- He finally worked up the courage to ask her to prom.
- She asked him to prom with a handwritten note.
go to prom
1/ɡˈoʊ tə pɹˈɑm/
fixed phrase
attend the prom
To attend the prom.
Examples
- They decided to go to prom as a group instead of pairing up.
- I didn’t go to prom, but I went to the after-party.
prom dress
1/pɹˈɑm dɹˈɛs/
fixed phrase
formal dress worn to prom
A special formal dress for prom.
Examples
- She ordered her prom dress online and had it altered.
- Prom dresses are usually sold in spring in the US.
prom king
1/pɹˈɑm kˈɪŋ/
fixed phrase
male prom popularity title
A boy chosen as the “king” of the prom.
Examples
- He was surprised when he was crowned prom king.
- They announced the prom king and queen just before the last song.
prom night
1/pɹˈɑm nˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
evening of the prom
The night of the prom.
Examples
- It rained on prom night, but they still took photos outside.
- On prom night, the restaurant was full of teenagers in formal clothes.
prom queen
1/pɹˈɑm kwˈin/
fixed phrase
female prom popularity title
A girl chosen as the “queen” of the prom.
Examples
- She was crowned prom queen at the end of the night.
- The class voted for prom queen and prom king during homeroom.