prime
PRYME
/praɪm/
The period in life when a person is at their strongest, most successful, or most beautiful.
Often used to describe the peak of physical or professional capability.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'primus', meaning 'first'. In the context of life, it refers to the 'first' or best part of one's existence.
Word relationships
- peak: 'Peak' is a more general term for the highest point; 'prime' is specifically about the best period of life.
- heyday: 'Heyday' refers to a period of great success or popularity, often in the past.
- nadir: The lowest point in a person's life or fortunes.
Commonly confused with
- primary: 'Primary' means first in importance or order; 'prime' means best in quality or stage of life.
Collocations
- in one's prime
- prime of life
- past one's prime
Idioms & expressions
- prime the pump
Example sentences
- "Most Olympic sprinters reach their prime in their mid-twenties." Sports
- "Give me a girl at an impressionable age, and she is mine for life... the prime of Miss Jean Brodie." Literature
Memory hook
Prime is the 'Time' of your life. The number one stage.
When not to use
Avoid using it to describe the very beginning or end of a process.
Fun facts
- In mathematics, a prime number is a 'first' number because it cannot be divided by any other numbers except one and itself.
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