Pre Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

"Pre" is usually a prefix meaning "before" or "earlier." Sometimes, in informal speech, it can stand alone to refer to something that happens before something else.

Usage & Nuances

Mainly used as a prefix in compound words: 'pre-order', 'pre-test', etc. Rarely used alone except in casual or technical speech (e.g., 'the pre and post surveys'). Informal: sometimes used as shorthand in speech ('Let's have a pre', meaning pre-party).

• Spanish: pre- (prefijo) - previo (informal, abreviado)
• Portuguese (BR): pré- (prefixo) - prévio (informal, abreviação)
• Portuguese (PT): pré- (prefixo) - prévio (informal, abreviação)
• Chinese (Simplified): 预- (前缀) - 预先的（非正式，用于口语）
• Chinese (Traditional): 預- (前綴) - 預先的（非正式，口語用法）
• Hindi: पूर्व- (पूर्वसर्ग) - प्री (संक्षिप्त, अनौपचारिक)
• Arabic: قبل- (بادئة) - بري (اختصار، غير رسمي)
• Bengali: প্রি - পূর্ব - আগে (অনুষ্ঠান বা কার্যক্রমের আগে কিছু)
• Russian: пре- - до - предварительный (как приставка)
• Japanese: プレ - 事前の - 前の（パーティー前などカジュアルな使い方）
• Vietnamese: tiền - trước - buổi (dùng trước sự kiện)
• Korean: 프리 - 사전 - 이전 (행사 전에 하는 것)
• Turkish: ön - önceden - önce (etkinlikten önce yapılan şey)
• Urdu: پری - پہلے - ابتدائی (کسی کام سے پہلے)
• Indonesian: pra- - sebelum - pra (sebagai imbuhan/awalan)

Example Sentences

We have a pre-meeting before the main event.

basic

He bought a pre-owned car.

basic

Did you do the pre-test?

basic

Let's meet up for a pre before the party starts.

natural

There was a quick pre in the office kitchen.

natural

At college, doing a pre is a tradition before big events.

natural