prior

/ˈpraɪər/

/praɪə/

Other forms: priors; priorly

Generally you should eat dinner prior to brushing your teeth. Use the adjective prior for things that exist earlier in time or that happen first in time or order.

This is a formal word that is often used in legal language. A prior claim is a person's right to something that is considered more important or valuable because it came first. If you're looking for a less formal synonym, choose the word previous. Prior is from a Latin word with the same spelling.

Definitions of prior

1. adjective

   earlier in time
   synonyms: anterior

   antecedent

   preceding in time or order
2. noun

   the head of a religious order; in an abbey the prior is next below the abbot
   type of:

   superior

   the head of a religious community