predate
B2/C1Formal / Academic
Definition
Meaning
to exist, happen, or come before something else in time.
Can also mean (for an animal) to hunt and eat as prey, though this is often considered a separate word formed from "prey + date".
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The chronological meaning is more common in formal/academic writing. The hunting meaning is less frequent and context-dependent; many opt for 'prey on' for clarity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties for the chronological meaning. Slightly formal.
Frequency
Equally uncommon in everyday speech in both varieties, used primarily in formal/academic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] predates [Object] by [Time Period][Subject] predates [Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. 'These contractual obligations predate the merger by five years.'
Academic
Common in history, archaeology, linguistics. 'These artifacts predate the Roman settlement.'
Everyday
Very rare. 'My love for music predates my school days.'
Technical
Used in historical sciences, law, paleontology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The stone circle predates the nearby village by several centuries.
- His research interest in climate predates the current political focus.
American English
- These cave paintings predate the earliest known settlements.
- The company's founding charter predates the state's incorporation.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not applicable as an adjective]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adjective]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Level too low for this word. Use 'come before' or 'be older than' instead.]
- [Rare at this level. Simplified: 'Dinosaurs predate humans by millions of years.']
- The original manuscript predates the printed version by over fifty years.
- These traditions predate the country's independence.
- His theories on cognition significantly predate the development of modern neuroscience.
- The geological evidence suggests the rock layers predate the volcanic event.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'PRE-DATE' as in the date that comes BEFORE another date.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A LINE (earlier points come before later points on the timeline).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'предсказывать' (to predict). 'Predate' is about the past, not the future.
- The hunting meaning may be confused with 'охотиться' (to hunt), but 'predate' is more specific/biological.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'predate' to mean 'predict' (e.g., *'The oracle predated the future' is wrong).
- Mispronouncing as /ˈpriː.deɪt/ (stressing the first syllable like 'predator').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'predate' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Only in its rare, secondary meaning 'to hunt and eat as prey'. The common chronological meaning is unrelated, from the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before'.
It's quite formal. In casual speech, phrases like 'come before', 'are older than', or 'happened earlier than' are more natural.
The direct opposite is 'postdate', meaning to occur or exist after something. Other opposites include 'follow' or 'succeed'.
Yes, but carefully. 'These mammals predate the dinosaurs' is correct (chronological). 'Lions predate zebras' is also possible but technical (hunting); 'prey on' is clearer.
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