prior
Noun pluralpriors
Pluralpriors
- 1
- 2Happening or existing before something else, in time or order.
Like the step you take just before the next one.
She had no prior experience with public speaking.
We need their prior approval before we start the work.
UsageUse it before a noun, as in prior experience, or say something is prior to something else.
Similarprevious, former, earlier, past, preceding
Oppositesubsequent, later, following
Note
- 3An earlier arrest or conviction already written on a person's police record.
Like an old mark already written in your record book.
He had one prior on his record before this charge.
The man already had several priors for burglary.
UsagePeople say someone has priors. In everyday talk, a criminal record is clearer.
Similarconviction
Note
Less common meanings
- 4A monk or friar who leads a religious house, or who is second in charge under an abbot.
Like the principal who runs a smaller branch school.
The prior led the monks in their morning prayers.
Several priors gathered at the abbey for the council.
Note
- 5In statistics, a first guess about how likely things are, made before new data comes in.
Like a first guess you make before you see any new clues.
The scientist chose a simple prior before looking at the data.
A good prior can make the final estimate more accurate.
Oppositeposterior
Note
- 6Describing a probability worked out before you look at the new facts or data.
The team estimated the prior probability of rain before checking the radar.
Her prior probability that it would rain was about one in three.
Oppositeposterior
Note
- 7A belief you already hold from past experience, which you may change when you learn something new.
Like a guess built from things you've already seen happen.
My prior is that the bus will be late again today.
Update your prior when you get real evidence.
UsagePeople often say update your priors, meaning change what you expect.
Similarbelief, assumption, preconception
Oppositeposterior
Note
- 8More important than something else, so that it comes first.
Her children have a prior claim on her time.
Her family duties had a prior claim on her weekends.
UsageUsually in the phrase a prior claim on something.
Similarpreferential, overriding, paramount, primary
Oppositesecondary, subordinate
Note
- 9Old use: the leader or most important person in a group, company, or field.
Note
- 10An honorary post given to a priest in some cathedrals.
- 11A top governing official of old Florence, in what is now Italy.
- 12The chosen leader of a group of craftsmen or merchants.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
The adjective comes from Latin prior, meaning "earlier" or "former." It is related to the words before, fore, and former.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- The English adjective comes from Latin prior. fr.wiktionary.org
- Latin prior means earlier or former. fr.wiktionary.org
- Prior is etymologically related to before, fore, and former. en.wiktionary.org
This noun came through Middle English and Old English from Latin prior, meaning "predecessor" or "superior." In Late Latin it came to mean the head or deputy head of a religious house.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Middle and Old English transmission from Latin. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin meanings. en.wiktionary.org
- Late Latin religious meanings. en.wiktionary.org