Word
predator
Phoneticspreda·tor
US/ˈpɹɛdətɝ/
UK/pɹˈɛdətɐ/
Definitions
01hunting animal
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science
n. an animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals.
n. an organism that naturally preys on others, typically for food.
“The lion is a powerful predator that hunts zebras on the African plains.”
“The introduction of a non-native predator into the ecosystem caused a rapid decline in the local bird population.”
Usage
Often used in biological contexts to describe the relationship between species.
Antonyms
02exploitative person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a person who looks for people who are weak or vulnerable so they can hurt or use them.
n. an individual who ruthlessly exploits or victimises others for personal gain or gratification.
“The police warned the public about a financial predator targeting elderly people.”
“The investigation revealed he was a corporate predator who systematically dismantled small companies for their assets.”
Usage
Frequently used in legal and journalistic contexts to describe criminal or unethical behaviour.
Synonyms
03sexual predator
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. someone who looks for people to attack or use for sexual reasons.
n. a person who seeks out others to commit sexual crimes against them.
“New laws were passed to keep track of known sexual predators in the community.”
“The court classified the defendant as a dangerous sexual predator, citing a long history of premeditated attacks.”
Teaching tip
This is a very serious and heavy term; it is used in legal contexts and news reports rather than casual conversation.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “predator” in context.
Verb
01. evade a predator
“The gazelle used its agility to evade the predator in a high-speed chase across the savannah.”
verb + noun
02. fall prey to a predator
“Weak or injured animals are the most likely to fall prey to a predator.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
03. apex predator
“As an apex predator, the great white shark has no natural enemies in the ocean.”
adj + noun
04. natural predator
“The introduction of a natural predator helped control the invasive rabbit population.”
adj + noun
05. sexual predator
“The police launched a specialized task force to track down the serial sexual predator.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. predator-prey relationship
“Ecologists study the predator-prey relationship to understand population dynamics in the wild.”
noun + noun
07. risk of predators
“Small rodents often forage at night to minimize the risk of predators spotting them.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“This unsettling novel disorients us by asking who is really the predator, and who is the prey.” “The small predator had unusually positioned legs that may have allowed it to move more efficiently than many earlier reptiles.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin praedātor, from praedor (“loot, pillage”), from praeda (“booty, spoils, prey”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The word in film
Predator · 1987 · Sci-Fi
- Directed by:
- John McTiernan
- Starring:
- Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Shane Black
In this 1980s sci-fi action movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger leads a team of soldiers through a jungle while being hunted by a dangerous alien. John McTiernan directs this story about a creature that uses advanced technology to track and kill its human prey for sport.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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