prioritize
pry-OR-ih-tize
/praɪˈɔːrɪˌtaɪz/
To determine the order for dealing with (items or tasks) according to their relative importance.
Implies making conscious choices about what is most important and should be addressed first.
The story behind the word. The word 'prioritize' comes from 'priority,' which itself stems from the Latin 'prior,' meaning 'former' or 'earlier.' The idea is that what is 'prior' is what comes first, either in time or in importance. To 'prioritize' is to make something 'prior' in your attention or action.
Word relationships
- rank: To arrange in a particular order of importance; 'prioritize' implies actively deciding which comes first.
- order: To arrange in a sequence; 'prioritize' specifically focuses on importance.
- focus on: To give particular attention to; 'prioritize' is about establishing that focus.
- neglect: To fail to give proper attention to.
- disregard: To pay no attention to; ignore.
Commonly confused with
- organize: 'Organize' is about arranging things systematically; 'prioritize' is about arranging them by importance for action.
Word family
- priority (noun): A thing that is regarded as more important than others.
- prioritization (noun): The action or process of deciding the relative importance or urgency of a thing or things.
Collocations
- prioritize tasks
- prioritize goals
- prioritize spending
- prioritize needs
- learn to prioritize
Example sentences
- "When creating a budget, it's crucial to prioritize essential expenses like housing and food over discretionary spending." Financial planning.
- "She had so many tasks that she had to prioritize the most urgent ones to meet the deadline." Work management.
- "Many people prioritize their health and family well-being above career advancement." Life goals.
Memory hook
To 'prioritize' is to decide what is 'prior' (most important) to do first. First things first
When not to use
Do not use 'prioritize' if you are simply listing items without any intention of ranking their importance or acting on that ranking.
Fun facts
- The Eisenhower Matrix is a popular time management tool that helps individuals prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
Related words
Explore more words
give priority, procrastinate, designate, optimize, allocate, deliberate
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