The meaning of PRIOR is earlier in time or order. How to use prior in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Prior.

PRIOR definition: 1. existing or happening before something else, or before a particular time: 2. before a…. Learn more.

PRIOR definition: preceding in time or in order; earlier or former; previous. See examples of prior used in a sentence.

Usage Note: Though prior usually modifies a noun that comes after it, as in prior approval, it sometimes modifies a noun for a unit of time which precedes it, as in five years prior.

A prior claim or duty is more important than other claims or duties and needs to be dealt with first. The firm I wanted to use had prior commitments.

5 days ago · Prepare late tax returns for tax years 2012-2024 and the current tax year 2025 in as little time as 10 minutes with PriorTax. Free professional tax help by phone and email.

Use the adjective prior for things that exist earlier in time or that happen first in time or order.

Look up prior in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Summary Is it previous or prior? Prior and previous are two interchangeable adjectives that mean earlier. Previous is slightly more common, but either word will work in any context.

Apr 17, 2026 · This adjective has no positive form; rather, it serves as the comparative (prior) and superlative (prīmus) of the preposition prae. (Compare the preposition post, with comparative …