Word
prewar
Phoneticspre·war, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹiˈwɔɹ/
UK/pɹɪwˈɔː/
Definition
adj. from the time before a war, especially before the Second World War.
adj. relating to or existing in the period before a war, especially the Second World War.
Examples
“This prewar building still has its original wooden doors.”
“The museum displays prewar photographs showing the city centre before the bombing destroyed most streets.”
“Scholars of prewar architecture argue that the district's narrow courtyards preserved a sense of community later erased by postwar redevelopment.”
Examples
simple
“This prewar building still has its original wooden doors.”
contextual
“The museum displays prewar photographs showing the city centre before the bombing destroyed most streets.”
complex
“Scholars of prewar architecture argue that the district's narrow courtyards preserved a sense of community later erased by postwar redevelopment.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prewar” in context.
Verb
01. date from prewar
“This bridge dates from the prewar period and needs repair.”
verb + prep + adj
02. preserve prewar
“The city tries to preserve prewar architecture in the old town.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. early prewar
“Early prewar photographs show a quiet farming village.”
adv + adj
04. immediate prewar
“In the immediate prewar months, prices rose sharply.”
adj + adj
05. late prewar
“The museum displays cars made in the late prewar era.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. prewar building
“She lives in a beautiful prewar building near the station.”
adj + noun
07. prewar economy
“The prewar economy relied heavily on farming and trade.”
adj + noun
08. prewar era
“Many films from the prewar era are still popular today.”
adj + noun
09. date from prewar era
“Most of the tools in the museum date from the prewar era.”
10. in prewar europe
“In prewar Europe, train travel was the fastest way to cross borders.”
11. late prewar period
“The late prewar period saw rapid growth in industry and cities.”
12. prewar apartment building
“She rents a flat in a prewar apartment building in Berlin.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before the noun it modifies.
Etymology
From pre- + war.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Antonyms
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- 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/prewar