Word
prioritize
Phoneticspri·or·i·tize, stress on the second syllable
/pɹaɪˈɔɹəˌtaɪz/
Definitions
01to treat as most important
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to choose one thing as more important than others and deal with it first.
v. to assign a high status of importance to a specific task or goal, ensuring it receives attention before others.
“You need to prioritize your health over your work if you want to recover.”
“The department must prioritize the safety of its staff before considering any expansion of the current project timeline.”
02to organize by importance
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to put a list of things in order of how important they are.
v. to arrange a set of items or tasks into a structured sequence based on their urgency or significance.
“I spent the morning prioritizing my emails so I could answer the urgent ones first.”
“The software allows project managers to prioritize incoming tickets based on the severity of the reported technical issues.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. It is frequently followed by the preposition 'over' when comparing two competing interests.
Pitfall
prioritize about the tasks
prioritize the tasks
Prioritize is a transitive verb; it acts directly on the object and does not require the preposition 'about'.
Real-World Examples
“Rather than focusing on only the most nutrient-dense greens, experts advise prioritizing variety.” “Daniel Garrido/Moment via Getty Images Other research shows that men and women approach friendships differently and prioritize different things when making same-sex friends.” “An early childhood program that prioritizes play can have benefits throughout childhood.” Etymology
From priority + -ize. First attested in 1967 as U.S. government jargon, becoming more widespread through the 1970s and ’80s, but still denounced as officialese by purists into the 1990s.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/prioritize