The meaning of PRE- is earlier than : prior to : before. How to use pre- in a sentence.

Nov 19, 2025 · From Middle English pre-, borrowed from Latin prae-, from the preposition prae (“before”).

before (a time or an event): precooked food a preexisting condition (Definition of pre- from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

What does the prefix pre- mean in English? The prefix pre- usually means before or in advance. It shows that something happens earlier than expected.

before in time, rank, order, position, etc: predate; pre-eminent; premeditation; prefrontal; preschool.

Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. The prefix pre-, which means “before,” appears in numerous English vocabulary words, for example: pre dict, pre …

Pre- definition: a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before” (preclude; prevent ); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” …

Definition of pre- prefix in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Pre- definition: Anterior; in front of.

This is a compound of prae- "before" (see pre-) + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take." The sense of "seizure on behalf of authority" is 1570s; that of "anticipation" (usually with …