priority
A priority is something that is more important than other things and needs to be dealt with first.
Explanation at your level:
A priority is a very important thing. You do it first. For example, your homework is a priority today. You do not play games until you finish.
When you have many tasks, you choose the most important one. That is your priority. It helps you finish your work on time.
A priority is a task that you rank higher than others. In business, we often say 'this is a high priority' to show it needs immediate attention.
Using priority effectively involves managing your time. It is not just about doing things; it is about choosing the right things to do first to achieve your goals.
In academic or professional settings, priority implies a strategic decision-making process. It involves evaluating competing demands and allocating resources accordingly to maximize efficiency.
Beyond simple task management, priority reflects an individual's or organization's core values. It is the manifestation of what one deems essential in a hierarchy of needs or objectives.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Priority means most important.
- It is a countable noun.
- Plural is priorities.
- Use it to rank tasks.
Hey there! Think of priority as your personal 'to-do' list filter. When you have a million things to do, you can't do them all at once, right? That is where priority comes in.
It is the act of deciding what matters most at this very moment. If you are hungry and have a math test, eating might be a priority for your body, but studying is the priority for your grades. It is all about ranking your tasks by importance!
The word priority has a fancy history. It comes from the Old French word priorité, which traces back to the Latin word prior, meaning 'former' or 'first'.
Originally, it was used to talk about things that came first in time. Over the centuries, the meaning shifted from just 'being first in line' to 'being the most important'. It is a cool example of how language evolves from physical order to abstract importance!
You will hear priority used a lot in offices and schools. We often talk about setting priorities or making something a top priority.
It is a neutral word, meaning you can use it in a casual chat with friends or in a very serious business meeting. Just remember that it is usually used as a noun, not an adjective, even though we describe things as 'high priority' tasks.
Idioms help us sound more natural. Here are a few:
- High priority: Something that must be done immediately.
- Top priority: The single most important thing.
- Give priority to: To treat something as more important than others.
- Priority list: A ranked list of tasks.
- Low priority: Something that can wait until later.
The word is a noun. Its plural form is priorities. You usually use it with articles like 'a' or 'the'.
Pronunciation-wise, it is prai-OR-i-tee. The stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with words like 'authority' or 'minority'.
Fun Fact
It originally meant 'the state of being first' in time, not just importance.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'pry-OR-i-tee'
Sounds like 'pry-OR-uh-tee'
Common Errors
- Misplacing stress
- Dropping the last 'i'
- Mispronouncing the 'o'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
The priority is clear.
Articles
A priority.
Verb+Noun
Set priorities.
Examples by Level
My priority is my family.
priority = most important
Noun usage
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Safety is our top priority.
I have many priorities today.
Work is a priority for him.
What is your main priority?
Health is a high priority.
Study is a priority.
Time is a priority.
Family is a priority.
We must set our priorities.
The project is a high priority.
I give priority to my studies.
Safety is given priority here.
What are your current priorities?
He made it his priority.
Is this a low priority?
We need to clear our priorities.
The government made education a top priority.
We need to reorder our priorities.
Public health is a matter of priority.
You should prioritize your tasks.
It is a matter of high priority.
They gave priority to the guests.
We have conflicting priorities.
What is the priority for today?
The CEO established a new set of strategic priorities.
Environmental protection must take priority over profit.
The committee debated the priority of the funding.
We must address the priority issues first.
His priority was to finish the thesis.
The priority of the law is justice.
We need to assess the priority of each task.
Competing priorities caused the delay.
The inherent priority of the mission was clear.
He gave priority to his moral obligations.
The priority of the evidence was questioned.
We must reconcile our competing priorities.
The priority of the state is security.
She balanced her priorities well.
The priority of the project shifted.
They assigned priority to the most urgent case.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"top of the list"
the highest priority
This is at the top of my list.
casual"first things first"
do the most important thing first
First things first, let's eat.
casual"number one"
the most important thing
My health is number one.
casual"put X before Y"
to make X a higher priority than Y
Don't put work before family.
neutral"take precedence"
to be more important
The meeting takes precedence.
formalEasily Confused
Same root
Prior is an adjective.
Prior to this...
Both imply choice
Prefer is a verb.
I prefer tea.
Both imply speed
Urgent is time-based.
It is urgent.
Similar meaning
Priority implies rank.
It is important.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + a + priority
Health is a priority.
Give + priority + to + object
Give priority to safety.
Set + priorities
We must set priorities.
Have + a + top + priority
I have a top priority.
Make + object + a + priority
Make this a priority.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Prioritize is a verb.
Use infinitive.
Use as noun modifier.
Check spelling.
Prior means earlier.
Tips
Memory Palace
Put your 'priority' on the front door of your house.
Native usage
Use 'set priorities' when planning.
Cultural Insight
In business, 'priority' is a buzzword.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before it.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'OR' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use as an adjective.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin.
Study Smart
Write your priorities daily.
Tip
Think of it as 'first'.
Tip
Use it to organize life.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
PRI-ority: PRI-me (first) importance.
Visual Association
A list with a big #1 at the top.
Word Web
Challenge
List your 3 priorities for today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: first or former
Cultural Context
None
Very common in corporate culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Work
- Set priorities
- High priority task
- Top priority
School
- Study is a priority
- Homework priority
- Class priority
Personal Life
- Family is a priority
- Health priority
- Time priority
Travel
- Safety priority
- Priority boarding
- Time priority
Conversation Starters
"What is your top priority today?"
"How do you set your priorities?"
"Do you find it hard to choose priorities?"
"Is family always a priority?"
"What should be a priority in life?"
Journal Prompts
Write about your top 3 priorities.
How do you handle competing priorities?
Reflect on a time you ignored a priority.
What is a priority you want to change?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is a noun. Use 'prioritize' for the verb.
P-R-I-O-R-I-T-Y.
Yes, but usually one is 'top'.
Priorities.
It is neutral.
Authority.
It can, but usually means importance.
My priority is to study.
Test Yourself
My top ___ is to be happy.
Priority fits the context.
What does priority mean?
It refers to importance.
A low priority is very important.
Low priority means less important.
Word
Meaning
Matches definitions.
My top priority is...
Score: /5
Summary
A priority is the most important thing you need to focus on right now.
- Priority means most important.
- It is a countable noun.
- Plural is priorities.
- Use it to rank tasks.
Memory Palace
Put your 'priority' on the front door of your house.
Native usage
Use 'set priorities' when planning.
Cultural Insight
In business, 'priority' is a buzzword.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before it.
Example
My main priority this weekend is to finish painting the kitchen.
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