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prime

prime

∞ 3.8
Of the best quality and most important
  • adjective
  • /praɪm/
: principal
  • The artist's latest work is a prime example of his exceptional talent and creativity.
  • a prime example
  • prime mover

Prime Obama Young or prime Robin van Persie?

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Examples

  • The success of the mission offers a prime example of where keeping a secret-- even from the American public-- pays off.

  • And it was the prime reason for moving here.

  • I think that is a a prime example as well.

  • Now that is the absolute prime example to me of someone.

  • Furthermore, state education departments are often looked to by schools as a prime source of professional information.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The after-school setting offers a prime opportunity to promote physical activity in youth.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Wood Grange, owned by Barchester Healthcare, is a prime example of care home diversification.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You're a force in this town, a prime mover, A city attorney, most prominent citizen they've got.

  • This restaurant is known for its prime steaks, which are considered the best in the city.

  • She is in her prime, performing at her best in every competition.

Synonyms

greatest
vsprime
∞ 1.0

Better than all others in quality or importance

carries the idea of top excellence and leading rank rather than amount
supreme
vsprime
∞ 3.9

Highest in rank, quality, or importance

focuses more on top rank than on mere excellence
chief
vsprime
991 3.2

The main thing that matters most

highlights superior quality and overall standing rather than simple priority
quality
vsprime
382 3.5

Made well so it lasts a long time

emphasizes being the single best or most important, not just high grade
foremost
vsprime
154 4.2

Most important in a group or area

emphasizes top quality and excellence rather than only importance
premier
vsprime
64 4.5

Most important or best in a group of similar things

is used more widely for best quality and overall importance
primal
vsprime
49 6.2

Most basic and needed for life

focuses on being the highest quality and rank rather than fundamental
choice
vsprime
37 5.1

Very good and carefully chosen

is broader, meaning top quality or importance without special selection
prize
vsprime
18 3.7

Of very high quality and often the best in a contest

refers more to inherent top quality rather than an awarded distinction
preeminent
vsprime
15 8.0

The most respected and well known in a particular field

stresses top rank or quality rather than distinction or fame alone
superlative
vsprime
8 4.6

Of the highest quality

emphasizes overall best quality and rank rather than only degree
select
vsprime
  • Formal
3 3.7

Very good quality and better than most others

applies generally to highest quality or rank, not only chosen items

Antonyms

70 3.7

Not as good in quality as something else

23 4.4

Not as good as the usual or required quality

Idioms

No longer at its best or in good condition

Compounds

388 3.2

The head of a country's government who leads the cabinet and decides policy

345 2.3

The head of a country's government who leads it and makes key decisions

93 3.1

Evening time when most people watch television

11 4.2

Years when a person is strongest and most active

prime number
  • Specialized
10 3.6

A whole number greater than 1 that you can divide only by 1 and itself

A very good place in a town where people want to live or work

prime mover
  • Formal
4 9.9

A first being people think starts everything, often the God of some religions

prime interest rate
  • Specialized
1 4.2

The lowest interest rate banks charge to their best business customers

An imaginary line at zero degrees that runs through Greenwich, England and is used to measure east and west

prime factor
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A number greater than one that can only be divided by one and itself and divides another number exactly

prime quantity
  • Specialized
6.7

A whole number greater than 1 that can only be divided evenly by 1 and itself

How Good

prime
∞ 3.8
good
∞ 1.0
fair
328 1.0

Surface Forms

prime positive
primmer comparative
primest superlative

Etymology

Prime comes from the Latin primus meaning 'first', like the word primary, and so calling something prime means it is 'first' in quality or most important. That is why we speak of prime cuts of meat or a prime example as the best kind.