prime
/praɪm/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Best, most important, or at the highest level. It often means someone or something is in top condition, value, or quality.
- This is the prime time for investment.
- She is in the prime of her career.
verb
To prepare something for use. It can also mean to get someone ready for an action or response.
- Prime the wall before painting it.
- The coach primed the team for victory.
noun
The best or most active period of life, work, or success. In mathematics, a prime is a number greater than 1 with only two factors.
- He retired in his prime.
- Seven is a prime.
Adinary Nuance
Prime is stronger and more selective than best or top. It often suggests the highest-quality moment, condition, or part of something. In writing, it sounds more formal than everyday words like main or good.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đỉnh cao
- Spanish
- cima
- Chinese
- 巅峰
- Japanese
- 最盛期
- Korean
- 전성기
Etymology
From Latin primus, meaning 'first'. The word entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
in one's primeprime timeprime exampleprime condition
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is prime a formal word?
- It is fairly formal, especially in writing and academic English.
- What is the difference between prime and best?
- Prime often means the best period or highest condition, while best is more general.
- Can prime mean a number?
- Yes. A prime number has only two factors: 1 and itself.
- How do I use prime in a sentence?
- Use it before a noun, or as a noun for a best period of life.