Prerogative Meaning
/pɹɪˈɹɒɡ.ə.tɪv/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn exclusive hereditary or official right or privilege.
nounA right, or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc, especially such a power to make a decision or judgement.
Sentence Examples
It's your prerogative to decide whether to go on the trip.
If you want to throw your money away, that's your prerogative.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
As the team leader, she had the ____ to make final decisions on project changes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is the manager's ____ to decide how the team's budget is allocated each quarter.
Word Origin & History
From Anglo-Norman prerogative (noun), from Latin praerogātīva (“previous verdict; claim, privilege”), noun use of the feminine singular of praerogātīvus (“having first vote; privileged”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The military fame of a subject was considered as an insolent invasion of the Imperial prerogative; and it became the duty, as well as interest, of every Roman general, to guard the frontiers intrusted to his care, without aspiring to conquests which might have proved no less fatal to himself than to the vanquished barbarians."
— 1776, Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol I, ch 1-pt i:
"Lord Avonleigh had decided on taking refuge in wounded dignity, when he was again addressed by the King. "The castle holds another prisoner, to whom I intend extending the best prerogative of my crown—mercy. Will you order Robert Evelyn to be brought before me?""
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XLII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 352:
"I hear my chair in the hall; and to keep Lord Marchmont waiting, when he has announced his intention of supping at home, far exceeds my prerogative; so good night, dearest, you will either see or hear from me to-morrow."
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Reminiscences”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 206:
""Ah, that's your prerogative as an Intelligence officer, Jimmy. But it's been your prerogative for weeks, months, and nothing has happened, as I told you […]""
— 2002, Patrick Robinson, The Shark Mutiny, page 48:
"If you want to wear your hair a certain way, that's your prerogative. You don't have to check with all your friends to make sure it's okay."
— 2004, Joel Osteen, Your best life now: 7 steps to living at your full potential, page 92:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
As the team leader, she had the ____ to make final decisions on project changes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is the manager's ____ to decide how the team's budget is allocated each quarter.