A priori — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˌä-prē-ˈȯr-ē/ a pri·o·ri

Meaning & Definition of A priori

A priori (adjective)

  1. being without examination or analysis, presumptive
  2. formed or conceived beforehand
  3. of, relating to, or provable by deduction, deductive

A priori (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being or provable by reasoning in which the conclusion follows necessarily from given information

    "an a priori argument for the defendant's innocence"

    similar: deducible, deductive, derivable, inferable, inferential, reasoned
    related: conjectural, hypothetical, purported, supposed, suppositional, academic, speculative, theoretical, logical, rational
    opposite: nondeductive
    near: inducible, inductive, absolute, categorical, definite, explicit, express, instinctive, intuitive, illogical, irrational

A priori (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in early, prematurely

    similar: early, prematurely, afore (chiefly dialect), ahead, already, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, formerly, preliminarily, previously, first, first off, now, before long, erelong (archaic), presently, shortly, soon
    opposite: after, afterward, later, behind, by and by, next, subsequently

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for A priori

The most common words with a similar meaning to A priori:

Chiefly dialect: afore
Archaic: erelong
deducible, deductive, derivable, inferable, inferential, reasoned, early, prematurely, ahead, already, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, formerly, preliminarily, previously, first, first off, now, before long, presently, shortly, soon

Antonyms & Opposite Words for A priori

Words with the opposite meaning of A priori:

nondeductive, after, afterward, later, behind, by and by, next, subsequently

Related Words for A priori

conjectural, hypothetical, purported, supposed, suppositional, academic, speculative, theoretical, logical, rational

Near Antonyms of A priori

inducible, inductive, absolute, categorical, definite, explicit, express, instinctive, intuitive, illogical, irrational

Word Forms of A priori

Derived words: a priori (adverb), apriority (noun)

Origin & Etymology of A priori

borrowed from Medieval Latin ā priōrī literally, "from what is earlier"

First known use: 1570

Frequently Asked Questions about A priori

What does "A priori" mean?

"A priori" means being without examination or analysis, presumptive. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: being without examination or analysis, presumptive. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "A priori"?

Other words for "A priori" include deducible, deductive, derivable, inferable, inferential, reasoned, early and prematurely. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "A priori" you intend.

What are different ways to say "A priori"?

There are 37 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "A priori". Common alternatives include deducible, deductive, derivable, inferable, inferential, reasoned, early, prematurely, afore and ahead.

What is the opposite of "A priori"?

Antonyms of "A priori" include nondeductive, after, afterward, later, behind, by and by, next and subsequently. Near antonyms include inducible, inductive, absolute and categorical.

How do you use "A priori" in a sentence?

Examples of "A priori" in a sentence: "an a priori argument for the defendant's innocence".

Is "A priori" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"A priori" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "A priori"?

"A priori" is pronounced /ˌä-prē-ˈȯr-ē/ and divided into syllables as a pri·o·ri.

What is the origin of the word "A priori"?

"A priori" comes from borrowed from Medieval Latin ā priōrī literally, "from what is earlier". First known use: 1570.