prime
B2Neutral to formal, depending on context. Common in academic, technical, and business English.
Definition
Meaning
of first importance; main, or of the best possible quality; excellent.
Also refers to the period of greatest vigour or success in a person's life; the condition of being first-rate; a number divisible only by itself and 1; to prepare something for use or action.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word spans mathematical, temporal, qualitative, and preparatory semantic fields. The core sense of 'first' or 'best' links these.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Prime' in 'Prime Minister' is capitalised in both when referring to a specific office holder.
Connotations
In financial contexts (e.g., prime rate), the term has identical technical meanings. In everyday use, no significant connotative difference.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
prime somebody/something for somethingprime somebody/something with somethingprime something to do somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the prime of life”
- “prime the pump”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the best rate (prime rate), ideal customers (prime customers), or most valuable assets (prime property).
Academic
Used in mathematics (prime numbers), biology (prime mover), and social sciences (priming effect in psychology).
Everyday
Describes best quality (prime steak), best time (prime time TV), or main reason (prime reason).
Technical
In engineering, 'to prime' means to prepare a pump or engine. In mathematics, strictly refers to numbers with exactly two divisors.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He primed the wood with an undercoat before painting.
- The interview was intended to prime the public for the announcement.
American English
- She primed the pump to get the water flowing.
- The coach primed the team for a tough game.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is a prime example of good work.
- He is in the prime of his life.
- The police have identified a prime suspect in the robbery.
- The programme will be shown during prime time.
- The company's prime objective is to increase profitability.
- Seven is a prime number.
- The study primed participants with certain words to test subconscious associations.
- Her prime concern was the potential long-term ecological impact.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PRIMary school being the FIRST and most IMPORTANT school. PRIME = FIRST IN IMPORTANCE OR QUALITY.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS HIGH (prime location, prime cut), IMPORTANCE IS CENTRAL (prime concern), PREPARATION IS FILLING (priming a pump/canvas).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'простой' meaning 'simple'. The mathematical term is 'простое число' (prime number), but 'prime' does not mean 'simple' in other contexts.
- Do not translate 'prime suspect' as 'главный подозреваемый' if context implies the 'most likely' suspect rather than the 'main' one in a hierarchy.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'prime' as a synonym for 'simple' or 'basic' (incorrect).
- Confusing 'prime' with 'primary' where the latter more strongly implies a sequence (primary school, primary colours).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'prime' NOT mean 'of the best quality'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Primary' often refers to something that is first in order, time, or development (e.g., primary education, primary source). 'Prime' emphasizes first importance, best quality, or peak condition (e.g., prime minister, prime real estate). They overlap but have different emphases.
Yes, commonly. It means to prepare or make ready. For example, 'She primed the wall for painting' or 'He was primed to answer the difficult question.'
Yes, it refers to the evening period with the largest television audience, typically between 7 or 8 PM and 10 or 11 PM. The concept and term are identical.
Not inherently. However, in specific collocations like 'prime suspect', it carries the context of suspicion, and in economic terms like 'prime rate', it is neutral. Its connotations depend entirely on the context.
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