prerogative Meaning & Definition
What Does Prerogative Mean?
Prerogative is used as a noun meaning a right or privilege. It is also used to mean an exclusive or special right, power, or privilege.
Prerogative at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /pri-ˈrä-gə-tiv/ |
| Syllables | 4 |
| Synonyms | privilege, perquisite and exclusive right |
| Plural | prerogatives |
Prerogative Definition (Noun)
- a right or privilege
If you want to sell the tickets rather than use them, that's your prerogative.
- an exclusive or special right, power, or privilege: such as
- one belonging to an office or an official body
presidential prerogatives
- one belonging to a particular person, group, or class of individuals
Education was once the prerogative of the upper class.
- one possessed by a nation as an attribute of sovereignty
- the discretionary power inhering in the British Crown
- a distinctive excellence
Synonyms of Prerogative
Prerogative synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Prerogative
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Prerogative in a Sentence
Despite being a constitutional monarchy, the British sovereign still retain many royal prerogatives.
If you want to sell the tickets rather than use them, that's your prerogative.
presidential prerogatives
Education was once the prerogative of the upper class.
it's your prerogative to refuse to attend religious services
Word Forms & Grammar
pre·rog·a·tived adjective
prerogative
prerogatived
prerogatives
prerogative (plural prerogatives)
prerogative (comparative more prerogative, superlative most prerogative)
Origin of Prerogative
Origin 1: Middle English prerogatif, prerogative, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin praerogātīva "the century (Roman voting unit) on which the lot fell to vote first, the verdict of that century (seen as predicting the outcome of the whole vote), omen, prior choice, prior right or claim," (short for centuria praerogātīva "century voting first"), from feminine of praerogātīvus "appointed by lot to vote first," from prae- pre- + rogātus, past participle of rogāre "to ask, ask (an assembly for a decision)" + -īvus -ive rogation
Origin 2: From Anglo-Norman prerogative (noun), from Latin praerogātīva (“previous verdict; claim, privilege”), noun use of the feminine singular of praerogātīvus (“having first vote; privileged”).
First Known Use
15th century
How to Pronounce Prerogative
You say prerogative as /pri-ˈrä-gə-tiv/. It has 4 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (rä).
Frequently Asked Questions About Prerogative
What part of speech is prerogative?
Prerogative is a noun.
What is another word for prerogative?
You can replace prerogative with words such as privilege, perquisite and exclusive right. See the full list of prerogative synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of prerogative?
The plural of prerogative is prerogatives.