prior
C1Formal, academic, legal, administrative; neutral in common phrasal use ('prior to').
Definition
Meaning
Existing or occurring before in time, order, or importance.
Can refer to the previous arrangement or condition, an earlier commitment, or in religious contexts, a monastic officer (noun).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, it often implies a logical or necessary sequence rather than just a chronological one. The noun form is highly specific and unrelated to the core temporal meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Prior to' is more common in formal American English. The temporal adjective 'prior' is equally used. The noun for a monastic officer is the same.
Connotations
In both, slightly formal. Using 'prior' instead of 'before/earlier' can signal a legal, official, or academic context.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American legal and administrative texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Prior + to + NP (preposition)Prior + NP (adjective)Have + a + prior + NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Prior to (something) - before an event or time.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contracts and planning: 'subject to prior agreement', 'prior financial years'.
Academic
Common in research: 'prior studies', 'without prior knowledge of the hypothesis'.
Everyday
Most common in phrase 'prior engagement/commitment' to politely decline an invitation.
Technical
In computing: 'prior probability'; in law: 'prior conviction', 'prior art' (patents).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (As a noun, not a verb in standard use)
American English
- (As a noun, not a verb in standard use)
adverb
British English
- (Used in the prepositional phrase 'prior to', not as a standalone adverb)
American English
- (Used in the prepositional phrase 'prior to', not as a standalone adverb)
adjective
British English
- You need prior authorisation from the council.
- His prior record was taken into account.
American English
- A prior appointment is required.
- The defendant had a prior conviction.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too complex for A2; introduce 'before' instead.)
- I can't meet on Tuesday; I have a prior arrangement.
- Please give us prior notice if you need to cancel.
- Applicants must demonstrate prior experience in a related field.
- The study builds upon prior research conducted in 2020.
- The contract was invalid due to the lack of prior informed consent.
- Prior to the implementation of the new policy, a consultation period was mandatory.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PRIORity - what comes PRIOR (first/before) is more important.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (A PRIOR event is in front/ahead of a later one on a timeline). IMPORTANCE IS HIGH (PRIORity is high).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'прежний' for temporary/changeable states; 'prior' is more sequential/official.
- The phrase 'prior to' is a formal equivalent of 'до', not 'перед' (which is spatial).
- Avoid using 'prior' as a direct synonym for simple 'before' in casual conversation; it sounds unnatural.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I visited them prior my departure.' Correct: '...prior to my departure.'
- Incorrect plural for the noun: 'priors' (correct for criminal/monastic contexts, but odd for the adjective).
- Overusing 'prior' in informal speech where 'before' or 'earlier' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'prior' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in meaning, but 'prior to' is more formal and is preferred in legal, academic, or official writing. In everyday speech, 'before' is more natural.
Yes, but with a completely different meaning: it refers to a monk who is head of a religious house or order (e.g., 'the prior of the monastery'). In US legal slang, 'priors' can mean previous criminal convictions.
They are often synonymous. However, 'prior' can sometimes imply greater importance or a necessary sequence ('prior approval' is mandatory), whereas 'previous' is more neutrally chronological ('the previous page').
Yes, 'prior' is a non-gradable adjective in its core meaning; something either is or isn't before. Therefore, 'more prior' or 'very prior' is generally incorrect. Use 'earlier' if you need a comparative.