prime

prime is on the Academic Word List.

Pronunciation

• enPR: prīm, IPA ^(key): /praɪm/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• SAMPA: /praIm/

Adjective

Positive prime

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (usually before a noun) If something is prime, it is best, most important, most suitable, or in some way number one.

   Canada is a prime example of a multicultural country.

   He was the prime suspect in the murder investigation.

Synonyms

• main

Related words

• prime minister
• prime number

Noun

Singular prime

Plural primes

1. (countable) The prime is the best part of something.

   He was killed at the prime of his life.

2. (countable) (mathematics) A prime is a number that can be evenly divided only by one and itself.

   The first six primes are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 13.

3. (countable) A prime is something that primes something else.

Verb

Plain form prime

Third-person singular primes

Past tense primed

Past participle primed

Present participle priming

1. (transitive) If you prime something, you get it ready to do something.

   The coach has primed them for the game.

2. (psychology) to manipulate, in a subtle manner, people's decision-making by use of symbols, location, etc.

Synonyms

• prepare