Word
predate
Phoneticspre·date, stress on the first syllable
/ˈpɹiˈdeɪt/
Españolantepasar (disused)
Definition
v. to exist or happen before something else in time.
v. to precede in time; to exist or occur at an earlier date than something else.
Examples
“These old coins predate paper money.”
“The stone tools found in the cave predate farming in this region by several thousand years.”
“Architectural evidence suggests the lower walls predate the cathedral itself, pointing to an earlier chapel that stood on the same site.”
Examples
simple
“These old coins predate paper money.”
contextual
“The stone tools found in the cave predate farming in this region by several thousand years.”
complex
“Architectural evidence suggests the lower walls predate the cathedral itself, pointing to an earlier chapel that stood on the same site.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “predate” in context.
Verb
01. believe to predate
“The skeleton is believed to predate the Ice Age.”
verb + to + verb
02. estimate to predate
“Experts estimate the ruins to predate the Roman Empire.”
verb + to + verb
03. predate arrival
“These paintings predate the arrival of farming communities.”
verb + noun
04. predate construction
“The burial site predates construction of the temple.”
verb + noun
05. predate history
“Legends about the stones predate written history.”
verb + noun
06. predate independence
“The railway system predates independence by fifty years.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. far predate
“These fossils far predate human life on Earth.”
adv + verb
08. long predate
“The tradition long predates the founding of the city.”
adv + verb
Noun
09. artifact predate
“The artifact predates the war by almost a decade.”
noun + verb
10. fossil predate
“This fossil predates dinosaurs by millions of years.”
noun + verb
11. believed to predate the ice age
“The cave drawings are believed to predate the Ice Age.”
12. far predate recorded history
“Stone tools found here far predate recorded history.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“The pandemic, international market volatility and geopolitical tensions have affected Tunisia, while structural weaknesses and political disputes long predate Saied’s presidency.” “It says that poverty in the city predates the cost-of-living crisis and reflects longer-term inequalities in income, employment, health, housing and opportunity.” “The phenomenon of pupils wrecking equipment and setting fire to classrooms predates the current crisis.” “Ward’s diagnosis of Ghana’s predicament emerged from an intellectual trajectory that predated decolonisation itself.” Etymology
From pre- + date.
Back-formation from predation or predator.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/predate
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0