prior to

/ˈpraɪ.ər tuː/

before in time

The meeting was scheduled prior to the conference.

The meeting was scheduled before the conference.

formal

Before in time; preceding

The contract was signed prior to the merger.

The contract was signed before the merger.

Please submit your application prior to the deadline.

Please submit your application before the deadline.

Often used in formal or legal contexts to indicate a sequence of events.

Collocations

after in time

before that event or time

Use 'prior to' in formal writing or legal contexts. In casual speech, 'before' is more common.

'Prior to' always indicates that one event happened before another.

From Latin 'prior' (earlier) and 'to' (directional preposition). Combined to form a phrase indicating precedence in time.

Common in formal writing, legal documents, and professional contexts. Can sometimes be replaced with 'before' in casual speech.

prior

earlier

adjective

directional preposition

preposition

English Dictionary