# prey

/ˈpɹeɪ/ (US) · /pɹˈeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prey
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. hunted animal

noun · CEFR B2

an animal that is caught and killed by another for food.

For teachers: an animal hunted and killed by another for food; the term is uncountable when referring to the category of animals.

- The eagle circled high in the sky, looking for its next prey.
- The cheetah relies on its explosive speed to overtake its prey before the target can reach the safety of the dense brush.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general concept of animals being hunted.

### 3. to hunt or exploit

verb · CEFR B2

to hunt and kill another animal, or to take advantage of someone weaker.

For teachers: to hunt and kill for food, or to habitually exploit or victimise others. Intransitive verb that requires the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.

- Some large birds prey on small mammals like mice and rabbits.
- The predatory lender was known to prey on low-income families who were desperate for quick cash to cover medical emergencies.

Usage: Always takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon' before the object.

## Examples

- The eagle circles high above looking for its prey.
- Small mammals like mice are common prey for owls and other birds of prey during the night.
- In the high-stakes world of corporate finance, smaller firms often fall prey to aggressive takeovers by larger conglomerates looking to eliminate competition.

---

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.