prerequisite
/priːˈrɛk.wɪ.zɪt/Something that must exist or happen before something else can happen. It is a necessary first step or condition — without it, the next thing cannot proceed.
- A valid passport is a prerequisite for international travel.
- Strong reading skills are a prerequisite for this advanced course.
- The lab requires chemistry as a prerequisite before you enroll.
Describes something that is required before something else can take place. It modifies a noun to show it must come first.
- Calculus is prerequisite knowledge for this engineering program.
- Good team communication is prerequisite to project success.
Adinary Nuance
Prerequisite is closest to precondition and requirement, but each has a different flavour. A requirement is simply something you must have or do — it says nothing about timing. A prerequisite specifically means it must come before something else, making the sequence the whole point. A precondition overlaps almost perfectly with prerequisite, but it tends to appear in political, legal, or negotiation contexts ("a precondition for peace talks"), while prerequisite dominates academic and professional contexts ("a prerequisite for enrolment"). Qualification is another common near-neighbor, but it focuses on what a person holds or has achieved (a degree, a certificate), whereas a prerequisite can be a course, a skill, or even a circumstance. When writing for IELTS or academic English, prerequisite is the sharper, more precise choice whenever order and prior completion matter.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Điều kiện tiên quyết
- Spanish
- Requisito previo
- Chinese
- 先决条件
- Japanese
- 前提条件
- Korean
- 선행 조건
Etymology
From Medieval Latin "praerequisitum," meaning "a thing required beforehand," combining "prae-" (before) and "requirere" (to require). The word entered English in the early 17th century and has remained a staple of academic and formal writing ever since.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'prerequisite' and 'requirement'?
- A requirement is simply something you must have or do. A prerequisite is more specific — it is something you must complete or have *before* moving forward. All prerequisites are requirements, but not all requirements are prerequisites.
- Is 'prerequisite' a formal word? Can I use it in everyday speech?
- Yes, it leans formal and is very common in academic, professional, and IELTS writing. In everyday conversation, most people would simply say 'you need to do X first' rather than 'X is a prerequisite,' but the word is widely understood.
- Can 'prerequisite' be used as an adjective as well as a noun?
- Yes. As a noun: 'Calculus is a prerequisite.' As an adjective: 'You need prerequisite knowledge in calculus.' Both uses are correct, but the noun form is far more common.
- How do I use 'prerequisite' in an IELTS essay?
- You can use it to signal a necessary condition: 'Access to clean water is a prerequisite for public health.' Pair it with 'for' when introducing what it enables, and with 'meet' when talking about fulfilling the condition.