adj · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/pɹɪˈɹɒɡ.ə.tɪv/
US:/pɹəˈɹɑɡ.ə.tɪv/
US:/pəˈɹɑ.ɡə.tɪv/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:P R IH0 R AA1 G AH0 T IH0 V
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:P ER1 AA1 G AH0 T IH0 V
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Having a hereditary or official right or privilege.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Characterized by lawless state actions, as in a prerogative state.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
An exclusive hereditary or official right or privilege.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A right, or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc, especially such a power to make a decision or judgement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Despite being a constitutional monarchy, the British sovereign still retain many royal prerogatives.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A right, especially when due to one's position or role.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A property, attribute or ability which gives one a superiority or advantage over others; an inherent advantage or privilege; a talent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
suffrage was the prerogative of white adult males
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: privilege, perquisite, exclusive right
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: right
Narrower terms: easement, privilege of the floor
History
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman prerogative (noun), from Latin praerogātīva (“previous verdict; claim, privilege”), noun use of the feminine singular of praerogātīvus (“having first vote; privileged”).
Across languages
Translations
57 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
прерогативен
(prerogativen)
— having a hereditary or official right or privilege
Danish:
privilegeret
— having a hereditary or official right or privilege
Finnish:
etuoikeutettu
— having a hereditary or official right or privilege
German:
privilegiert
— having a hereditary or official right or privilege
German:
bevorrechtet
— having a hereditary or official right or privilege
Hungarian:
kiváltságos
— having a hereditary or official right or privilege
Spanish:
prerrogativa
— having a hereditary or official right or privilege
Bulgarian:
привилегия
(privilegija)
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Danish:
prærogativ
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Danish:
privilegium
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Danish:
privilegie
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Danish:
forret
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Esperanto:
prerogativo
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Finnish:
etuoikeus
— hereditary or official right or privilege
French:
prérogative
— hereditary or official right or privilege
German:
Prärogative
— hereditary or official right or privilege
German:
Bevorrechtung
— hereditary or official right or privilege
German:
Privileg
— hereditary or official right or privilege
German:
Vorrecht
— hereditary or official right or privilege
German:
Anrecht
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Greek:
προνόμιο
(pronómio)
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Ancient Greek:
γέρας
(géras)
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Hungarian:
kiváltság
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Italian:
privilegio
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Italian:
prerogativa
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Polish:
prerogatywa
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Polish:
przesłanka
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Polish:
przywilej
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Portuguese:
prerrogativa
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Russian:
прерогати́ва
(prerogatíva)
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Russian:
привиле́гия
(privilégija)
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Scottish Gaelic:
còir-dhlighe
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Spanish:
prerrogativa
— hereditary or official right or privilege
Bulgarian:
прерогатив
(prerogativ)
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Catalan:
prerrogativa
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Danish:
prærogativ
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Finnish:
valtaoikeus
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
French:
prérogative
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
German:
Vorrecht
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
German:
Prärogative
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
German:
Regal
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Greek:
προνόμιο
(pronómio)
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Hungarian:
előjog
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Italian:
appannaggio
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Italian:
prerogativa
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Italian:
diritto
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Portuguese:
prerrogativa
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Russian:
прерогати́ва
(prerogatíva)
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Russian:
исключи́тельное пра́во
(isključítelʹnoje právo)
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Spanish:
prerrogativa
— right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc.
Chinese Mandarin:
特权
(tèquán)
— inherent advantage or privilege
Finnish:
kyky
— inherent advantage or privilege
Finnish:
lahjakkuus
— inherent advantage or privilege
German:
Talent
— inherent advantage or privilege
German:
Gabe
— inherent advantage or privilege
German:
Begabung
— inherent advantage or privilege
Greek:
προνόμιο
(pronómio)
— inherent advantage or privilege