# prerogative

/ˈpɝˈɑɡətɪv/ (US) · /pɹɪɹˈɒɡətˌɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prerogative
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a special right or choice

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a special right that you have because of your position, allowing you to make a decision or do something.

For teachers: a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class, often used to justify a specific choice or action.

- It is the manager's prerogative to decide which employees will work on the new project.
- While the board provides recommendations, it remains the CEO's prerogative to make the final determination regarding the merger.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'it is someone's prerogative to...'

### 2. legal or royal power

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the official power of a king, queen, or government to make decisions without needing permission from others.

For teachers: an exclusive right or power vested in a monarch or government official, particularly regarding discretionary actions.

- The king used his royal prerogative to pardon the prisoner before the trial ended.
- The constitutional scholar argued that the executive prerogative should be limited to prevent the abuse of emergency powers.

Usage: Commonly appears in the term 'royal prerogative' or 'executive prerogative'.

## Examples

- It is the manager's prerogative to change the team schedule.
- While the board makes suggestions, the final decision on hiring remains the CEO's prerogative.
- In many constitutional monarchies, the royal prerogative has been largely transferred to elected officials, though it remains a symbolic cornerstone of state authority.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.