prerogative

UK: /prɪˈrɒgətɪv/

US: /prɪˈrɑgətɪv, pəˈrɑg-/

US: (pri rog′ə tiv, pə rog′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•rog•a•tive /prɪˈrɑgətɪv, pəˈrɑg-/   n. [countable]

1. a special right, privilege, etc., limited to people of rank in office, etc.:
   the prerogative of a judge.

See -roga-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•rog•a•tive  (pri rog′ə tiv, pə rog′-), n. 

1. an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like:
   the prerogatives of a senator.
2. a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category:
   It was the teacher's prerogative to stop the discussion.
3. a power, immunity, or the like restricted to a sovereign government or its representative:
   The royal prerogative exempts the king from taxation.
4. [Obs.] precedence.

adj. 

5. having or exercising a prerogative.
6. pertaining to, characteristic of, or existing by virtue of a prerogative.

• Latin praerogātīvus (adjective, adjectival) voting first, praerogātīva (noun, nominal use of feminine of adjective, adjectival) tribe or century with right to vote first. See pre-, interrogative
• Middle English 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. See privilege. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prerogative / prɪˈrɒɡətɪv/ noun

1. an exclusive privilege or right exercised by a person or group of people holding a particular office or hereditary rank
2. any privilege or right
3. a power, privilege, or immunity restricted to a sovereign or sovereign government

adjective

1. having or able to exercise a prerogative

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin praerogātīva privilege, earlier: group with the right to vote first, from prae before + rogāre to ask, beg for