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

Jan 22, 2026 · Prefix pre- Before; physically in front of. (anatomy) Synonym of anterior. Before; earlier in time; beforehand.

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 vent, and pre fix!

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

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,” “early,” …

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

Pre- definition: Anterior; in front of.

Pre- is used to form words that indicate that something takes place before a particular date, period, or event. ...his pre-war job. ...pre-1971 cars. ...life in pre-industrial England.

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 dread), "fear of …