Prime - English meaning

verb

Offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone.

Usage examples:

I advised him to go home

verb

Give advice to

verb

To give someone advice

Usage examples:

[ + to infinitive ] i think i'd advise him to leave the company., advise someone against something …

noun

Occupation of a position of dominant power or influence.

Usage examples:

The ascendancy of good over evil

noun

A position of power, strength, or success

Usage examples:

They are in danger of losing their political ascendancy (= controlling power)., supporters of the p…

adjective

Forming an essential foundation or starting point; fundamental.

Usage examples:

Certain basic rules must be obeyed

noun

The essential facts or principles of a subject or skill.

Usage examples:

I learnt the basics of programming on a course

noun

A simple high-level computer programming language that uses familiar english words, designed for beginners and formerly used widely.

Usage examples:

You could write your own software in the basic programming language

adjective

Of the most excellent or desirable type or quality.

Usage examples:

The best midfielder in the country

adverb

To the highest degree; most (used with verbs suggesting a desirable action or state or a successful outcome).

Usage examples:

They named the pictures they liked best

noun

That which is the most excellent, outstanding, or desirable.

Usage examples:

Buy the best you can afford

noun

A flower, especially one cultivated for its beauty.

Usage examples:

An exotic bloom

verb

Produce flowers; be in flower.

Usage examples:

A chalk pit where cowslips bloomed

verb

Make (iron, steel, etc.) into a bloom.

Usage examples:

A steel slab comprising the above constituents is produced by preparing the steel in a converter fo…

adjective

Of short duration; not lasting for long.

Usage examples:

The president made a brief working visit to moscow

noun

A set of instructions given to a person about a job or task.

Usage examples:

His brief is to turn round the county's fortunes

verb

Instruct or inform (someone) thoroughly, especially in preparation for a task.

Usage examples:

She briefed him on last week's decisions

noun

A leading dignitary of the roman catholic church. cardinals are nominated by the pope, and form the sacred college which elects succeeding popes (now invariably from among their own number).

Usage examples:

His appointment as cardinal

adjective

Of the greatest importance; fundamental.

Usage examples:

Two cardinal points must be borne in mind

noun

A priest of high rank in the roman catholic church

Usage examples:

Finding food was a cardinal concern.

adjective

At the point or in the area that is in the middle of something.

Usage examples:

The station has a central courtyard

noun

A place with a high concentration of a specified type of person or thing.

Usage examples:

You're in workaholic central here

adjective

In, at, from, or near the center

Usage examples:

He grew up in central illinois., american novels often take money as their central concern., a cent…

noun

A leader or ruler of a people or clan.

Usage examples:

The chief of the village

adjective

Most important.

Usage examples:

The chief reason for the spending cuts

adjective

Most important

Usage examples:

Their chief objection to the appointment was that she had no judicial experience., the chief econom…

noun

An act of choosing between two or more possibilities.

Usage examples:

The choice between good and evil

adjective

(especially of food) of very good quality.

Usage examples:

He picked some choice early plums

noun

An act of choosing; a decision

Usage examples:

[ c ] a difficult/easy choice, [ c ] when you’re trying to cut the budget deficit, you’ve got to ma…

noun

A comfortably equipped single-decker bus used for longer journeys.

Usage examples:

A coach trip

verb

Travel by coach.

Usage examples:

Fly or coach to the shores of the mediterranean

adverb

In economy class accommodation in an aircraft or train.

Usage examples:

Many employees are now flying coach instead of business class to europe

noun

Each of the twenty-four-hour periods, reckoned from one midnight to the next, into which a week, month, or year is divided, and corresponding to a rotation of the earth on its axis.

Usage examples:

They only met a few days ago

Time for earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

noun

A period of 24 hours, especially from twelve o'clock one night to twelve o'clock the next night

Usage examples:

January has 31 days., the days of the week, every day he runs five miles every day., it took us alm…

adjective

Having power and influence over others.

Usage examples:

They are now in an even more dominant position in the market

noun

A dominant trait or gene.

Usage examples:

This disorder is inherited as a dominant

adjective

More important, strong, or noticeable than anything else of the same type

Usage examples:

A dominant personality, for years the democrats were the dominant party in congress., military domi…

noun

A tool or machine with a rotating cutting tip or reciprocating hammer or chisel, used for making holes.

Usage examples:

Most of the project requires basic wood-working tools - a circular saw, a saber saw, an electric dr…

verb

Produce (a hole) in something by or as if by boring with a drill.

Usage examples:

Drill holes through the tiles for the masonry pins

verb

Sow (seed) with a drill.

Usage examples:

Crops drilled in autumn

noun

An essential or characteristic part of something abstract.

Usage examples:

The death had all the elements of a great tabloid story

noun

One of the parts of something that makes it work, or a quality that makes someone or something effective

Usage examples:

The heating element of a toaster, having a second income is an important element for most home buye…

noun

A part of something

Usage examples:

List the elements that make up a perfect dinner party., the movie had all the elements of a good th…

adjective

Absolutely necessary; extremely important.

Usage examples:

It is essential to keep up-to-date records

noun

A thing that is absolutely necessary.

Usage examples:

We only had the bare essentials in the way of equipment

adjective

Extremely important or necessary

Usage examples:

A knowledge of spanish is essential for this job., there is an essential difference between the two…

adjective

Extremely good; outstanding.

Usage examples:

The lorry was in excellent condition

exclamation

Used to indicate approval or pleasure.

Usage examples:

‘what a lovely idea! excellent!’

adjective

Extremely good

Usage examples:

The car is in excellent condition., the school is known for its excellence.

adjective

Of very high quality; very good of its kind.

Usage examples:

This was a fine piece of film-making

noun

Very small particles found in mining, milling, etc.

Usage examples:

It raises dust, separating fines from aggregate.

adverb

In a satisfactory or pleasing manner; very well.

Usage examples:

‘and how's the job-hunting going?’ ‘oh, fine.’

Preceding all others in time or space or degree

ordinal number

Coming before all others in time or order; earliest; 1st.

Usage examples:

His first wife

ordinal number

Foremost in position, rank, or importance.

Usage examples:

The doctor's first duty is to respect this right

noun

The best group or class, esp. the most expensive seats on a plane or a train

Usage examples:

I upgraded my plane ticket to first class from tourist class., a first-class education, the price o…

adjective

Of excellent quality

Usage examples:

The work that she did on the project was first class., he really is pre-eminent in the field and ha…

adjective

Extremely good

Usage examples:

A first-rate performance

adjective

Of the highest quality

Usage examples:

The country's universities are first-rate., we were very impressed with what glasgow has to offer a…

adjective

Without any imperfections or defects; perfect.

Usage examples:

Her smooth flawless skin

adjective

Containing no faults or mistakes; perfect

Usage examples:

The countdown was flawless, and the space missile went off exactly on schedule.

adjective

Perfect or without mistakes

Usage examples:

A flawless complexion, a flawless performance

adjective

(of a plant) in bloom.

Usage examples:

A window box of flowering geraniums

noun

The action of producing flowers.

Usage examples:

The clematis can be grown to coincide with the flowering of the roses

verb

(of a plant) produce flowers; bloom.

Usage examples:

Michaelmas daisies can flower as late as october

adjective

Most prominent in rank, importance, or position.

Usage examples:

One of the foremost art collectors of his day

adverb

Before anything else in rank, importance, or position; in the first place.

Usage examples:

It was, foremost, the first unequivocal demonstration of the process

adjective

Best known or most important

Usage examples:

He was one of the foremost actors of his day.

adjective

Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.

Usage examples:

The protection of fundamental human rights

noun

A central or primary rule or principle on which something is based.

Usage examples:

Two courses cover the fundamentals of microbiology

adjective

Being the most basic or most important thing on which other things depend

Usage examples:

Fundamental beliefs/principles, we need to make fundamental changes in the way we treat our environ…

noun

The measurement of someone or something from head to foot or from base to top.

Usage examples:

Columns rising to 65 feet in height

noun

The distance from the top to the bottom of something, or the quality of being tall

Usage examples:

The sheer height of new york's skyscrapers is so impressive., she's about average height (= neither…

noun

The particular distance that something is above a surface

Usage examples:

The bullet entered the body at chest height.

noun

The period of a person's or thing's greatest success, popularity, activity, or vigour.

Usage examples:

The paper has lost millions of readers since its heyday in 1964

noun

A period of great success, popularity, or power

Usage examples:

In its heyday, pittsburgh was a center of the steel and coal industries.

noun

The most successful or popular period of someone or something

Usage examples:

In their heyday, they sold as many records as all the other groups in the country put together.

adjective

Of very good quality

Usage examples:

The price of high-grade aluminum for three-month delivery rose us$28 to us$1,615 a ton., investors …

verb

Give (someone) facts or information; tell.

Usage examples:

He wrote to her, informing her of the situation

verb

Impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to

verb

To tell someone about particular facts

Usage examples:

The name of the dead man will not be released until his relatives have been informed., be informed …

verb

Tell or order someone to do something, especially in a formal or official way.

Usage examples:

She instructed him to wait

verb

To teach someone how to do something

Usage examples:

I need someone to instruct me on how to use the computer., [ + to infinitive ] the police have been…

verb

To order or tell someone to do something, especially in a formal way

Usage examples:

Instruct sb to do sth they were instructed to remove the vehicles from the site immediately as they…

noun

A small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into a lock and turned to open or close it.

Usage examples:

There were two keys to the cupboard

adjective

Of crucial importance.

Usage examples:

She became a key figure in the suffragette movement

verb

Enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard or telephone keypad.

Usage examples:

Not everyone can key data quickly and accurately

adjective

Chief in size or importance.

Usage examples:

A main road

noun

A principal pipe carrying water or gas to buildings, or taking sewage from them.

Usage examples:

A faulty gas main

noun

(in the game of hazard) a number (5, 6, 7, 8, or 9) called by a player before dice are thrown.

adjective

Important, serious, or significant.

Usage examples:

The use of drugs is a major problem

noun

A rank of officer in the army and the us air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel.

Usage examples:

One e-mail avowed that too many majors and lieutenant colonels flounder in their first joint assign…

verb

Short for major suit.

Usage examples:

South was anxious to mention his four-card major and bid one spade

adjective

Causing great wonder; extraordinary.

Usage examples:

These marvellous technological toys are fun to play with

adjective

Extremely good

Usage examples:

He's done a marvellous job of the decorating., it took me ages to get it right, but it was a marvel…

noun

The state, fact, or period of being mature.

Usage examples:

The progress of an ingénue from childhood to maturity

noun

A three-dimensional representation of a person or thing or of a proposed structure, typically on a smaller scale than the original.

Usage examples:

A model of st paul's cathedral

verb

A simplified description, especially a mathematical one, of a system or process, to assist calculations and predictions.

Usage examples:

A statistical model used for predicting the survival rates of endangered species

verb

A representation of something, often on a smaller scale

verb

Inform (someone) of something, typically in a formal or official manner.

Usage examples:

You will be notified of our decision as soon as possible

verb

To tell someone officially about something

Usage examples:

The school is required to notify parents if their children fail to come to school., has everyone be…

noun

The best or highest ranking person or thing

Usage examples:

She’s still number one in tennis.

noun

The person or thing that is the best or has the most important position in an organization, group, market, etc.

Usage examples:

They ran an aggressive advertising campaign as part of their plan to become number one in the uk ma…

adjective

Best or most favourable; optimum.

Usage examples:

Seeking the optimal solution

adjective

Optimum

adjective

The best or most effective possible in a particular situation

Usage examples:

Companies benefit from the optimal use of their resources and personnel., we have found that our wo…

adjective

More important than any other considerations.

Usage examples:

The overriding concern of the organizers was the financial crisis

verb

Use one's authority to reject or cancel (a decision, view, etc.).

Usage examples:

The courts will ultimately override any objections

adjective

More important than anything else; supreme.

Usage examples:

The interests of the child are of paramount importance

proper noun

A city in south-western california, south-east of los angeles; population 55,236 (est. 2008).

adjective

More important than anything else

Usage examples:

Everybody agrees that education is the paramount issue.

noun

The pointed top of a mountain.

Usage examples:

Tatters of fog clung to the peak of the mountain

verb

Reach a highest point, either of a specified value or at a specified time.

Usage examples:

The disease peaked in summer

adjective

At the highest level; maximum.

Usage examples:

The canal was restored to peak condition

noun

The state or quality of being perfect.

Usage examples:

The satiny perfection of her skin

noun

The quality of being perfect

Usage examples:

She is a superb violinist, and combines technical perfection with an exciting performance style., i…

noun

The most successful point; the culmination.

Usage examples:

He had reached the pinnacle of his career

verb

Form the culminating point or example of.

Usage examples:

Anybody who knows jake's career knows that he pinnacled the liberal-media ladder a decade ago and t…

noun

The most successful point

Usage examples:

The olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement., the volcanic range is extremely rugge…

adjective

More important or better than others

Usage examples:

She is the pre-eminent authority in her subject.

verb

Make (something) ready for use or consideration.

Usage examples:

Prepare a brief summary of the article

verb

Make ready or suitable or equip in advance

verb

To make or get something or someone ready for something that will happen in the future

Usage examples:

[ t ] keane is preparing a film version of the play., [ i ] the southeast prepared for the worst as…

adjective

Of chief importance; principal.

Usage examples:

The government's primary aim is to see significant reductions in unemployment

noun

(in the us) a preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a principal, especially presidential, election.

Usage examples:

These two republicans should win their primaries easily

verb

Former term for palaeozoic.

adjective

First in order of importance; main.

Usage examples:

The country's principal cities

noun

The most important or senior person in an organization or group.

Usage examples:

A design consultancy whose principal is based in san francisco

adjective

First in order of importance

Usage examples:

Iraq’s principal export is oil.

idiom

To tell someone the facts about a situation

Usage examples:

His lawyer put him in the picture about what had happened since his arrest.

verb

Carefully choose as being the best or most suitable.

Usage examples:

Children must select their gcse subjects

adjective

(of a group of people or things) carefully chosen from a larger number as being the best or most valuable.

Usage examples:

He joined his select team of young intelligence operatives

verb

Pick out or choose from a number of alternatives

noun

The season of spring.

Usage examples:

The sounds of lambing in springtime

adjective

Higher in rank, status, or quality.

Usage examples:

A superior officer

noun

A person superior to another in rank or status, especially a colleague in a higher position.

Usage examples:

Obeying their superiors' orders

adjective

Better than average, or better than others of the same type

Usage examples:

They were clearly the superior team., some people think acoustic recordings are superior to digital…

adjective

Of the highest quality or degree.

Usage examples:

A superlative piece of skill

noun

(of an adjective or adverb) expressing the highest or a very high degree of a quality (e.g. bravest, most fiercely ).

adjective

Highest in rank or authority.

Usage examples:

A unified force with a supreme commander

noun

A rich cream sauce.

Usage examples:

Chicken supreme

adjective

At the highest level

Usage examples:

The dictionary was called the supreme authority on all matters relating to the language., he was su…

verb

Communicate information to someone in spoken or written words.

Usage examples:

I told her you were coming

noun

(especially in poker) an unconscious action that is thought to betray an attempted deception.

Usage examples:

But i think you could waste a poker lifetime looking for tells like those.

noun

(in the middle east) an artificial mound formed by the accumulated remains of ancient settlements.

Usage examples:

He narrowly escaped being blown up by a mine when he was exploring a tell outside the city.

noun

The indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.

Usage examples:

Travel through space and time

verb

Plan, schedule, or arrange when (something) should happen or be done.

Usage examples:

The first track race is timed for 11.15

noun

The seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc., in which existence is measured, or the past, present, and future considered as a whole

Usage examples:

I really don’t have time to call her today., the children spent most of their time outdoors., we’d …

noun

The highest or uppermost point, part, or surface of something.

Usage examples:

Doreen stood at the top of the stairs

adjective

Highest in position, rank, or degree.

Usage examples:

The top button of his shirt

verb

Exceed (an amount, level, or number); be more than.

Usage examples:

Losses are expected to top £100 m this year

noun

The most important people in a group, companies in an industry, etc.

Usage examples:

In the top tier (of sth) it's in the top tier of private banks, which offer extraordinary services …

adjective

Being or happening at the end of a process; final.

Usage examples:

Their ultimate aim was to force his resignation

noun

The best achievable or imaginable of its kind.

Usage examples:

The ultimate in decorative luxury

adjective

Most important, highest, last, or final

Usage examples:

Your ultimate goal is to play the game as well as you can., some people believe that he is the ulti…

noun

The period between childhood and adult age.

Usage examples:

He had been a keen sportsman in his youth

noun

The period of your life when you are young, or the state of being young

Usage examples:

I was a fairly good football player in my youth., the first volume is the author's account of his m…

noun

The time when something is new or not fully developed

Usage examples:

It's hard to believe that such an influential film could have been made when cinema was still in it…

noun

The time at which something is most powerful or successful.

Usage examples:

In 1977, punk was at its zenith

noun

The best, highest, or most successful point or time

Usage examples:

Their popularity reached its zenith in the mid-1990s.