prior
prior — adjective
1. Relating to a time that comes before another specified moment or action.
Relating to a time that comes before another specified moment or action.
Gabriel missed the team meeting because of a prior dental appointment.
collocation: prior appointment
Tuan's first laboratory class assumes no prior training in chemistry.
collocation: prior training
Min had prior knowledge of the surprise party because her sister told her about it.
Beatriz's credit union requires prior notice for any withdrawal over ten thousand dollars.
Ayana's prior experience as a tour guide made her perfect for the new travel job.
- later
refers to something that comes after
- subsequent
formal term for something that follows
文法句型
prior + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). Common in formal business, academic, and legal contexts.
常見錯誤
2. Used in the phrase 'prior to' with the meaning of earlier than a specified momen
Used in the phrase 'prior to' with the meaning of earlier than a specified moment, event, or action. It serves as a more formal alternative to the word 'before'.
Dylan checked the train schedule prior to buying his ticket for the journey.
grammar: prior to + gerund
A security guard searched every bag prior to the concert at the stadium.
grammar: prior to + noun
Meera called the restaurant prior to arriving so she could reserve a table.
All passengers must switch off their mobile phones prior to the plane taking off.
- after
the opposite of 'prior to'
文法句型
prior to + noun
prior to + gerund
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'to' as a compound preposition. 'Prior to' is more common in formal written English than in casual conversation, where 'before' is preferred.
常見錯誤
3. Having greater importance or authority than other matters, so that it must be de
Having greater importance or authority than other matters, so that it must be dealt with first.
The original artist holds a prior claim to any profits from selling the painting.
collocation: prior claim
Under the new rules, local residents have a prior claim on housing in their neighbourhood.
collocation: prior claim
The university holds prior rights to any inventions developed using its laboratory facilities.
In emergency rooms, patients with life-threatening injuries receive prior consideration over those with minor complaints.
- paramount
stronger; means the most important of all
- precedential
technical legal term for setting a legal precedent
- secondary
less important; coming after in priority
文法句型
prior + noun
用法筆記
Common in legal contexts such as property rights, inheritance, and contracts. The focus is on priority in importance or authority rather than in time.
常見錯誤
prior — noun
1. A man who holds a senior religious position in a Christian monastery — either as
A man who holds a senior religious position in a Christian monastery — either as the leader of a small monastery called a priory, or as the second-in-command below the abbot in a larger abbey.
The prior of the monastery led the evening prayers for the group of monks.
grammar: prior + of + place noun
Ramón served as prior of a small hilltop priory for over twenty years.
When the abbot was away, the prior took charge of daily work at the abbey.
Brooke visited the priory and spoke with the prior about the history of the building.
- abbot
higher rank; head of a large abbey rather than a small priory
- monastic superior
a broader formal term for any head of a religious house
文法句型
the prior + of + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'abbot': an abbot is the head of a large abbey, while a prior may be either the head of a smaller priory or the deputy to an abbot.