GRE Words with Root "pre/pra/pro" (47 words)

About this Root

Core idea: Latin prae- (pre-) means before or in front. Pro- means forward, forth, or for—motion or favor toward the front.

How it shows up on the GRE

Timeline clues (“earlier,” “anticipate,” “pioneer”) often point here. Pro- can also suggest substitute or deputy (proconsul) in formal registers.

Quick hooks from this list

Precursor — forerunner.
Proclivity — leaning forward toward; tendency.
Profligate — recklessly extravagant (casting forth restraint).

precarious

not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.

precipitate

cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.

precipitous

Steep, like a precipice

preclude

prevent from happening; make impossible.

precocious

(of a child) having developed certain abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than is usual or expected.

precursor

forerunner

predicament

a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.

predilection

a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favour of something.

preeminent

outstanding

preen

tidy/show self-satisfaction

premeditate

think out or plan (an action, especially a crime) beforehand.

preponderance

greatness in number strength weight

presage

warning sign

presentiment

anticipatory fear; premonition

presumptuous

(of a person or their behaviour) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate/overconfident

pretentious

attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.

prevalent

common

prevaricate

speak or act in an evasive way.

probity

the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.

proclivity

a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition towards a particular thing.

prodigal

A prodigal person, a spendthrift.

prodigious

remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.

profane

worldly having contempt for God

proficient

competent or skilled in doing or using something.

profligate

An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person.

profound

The deep; the sea; the ocean.

proliferate

increase rapidly in number; multiply.

promulgate

promote or make widely known (an idea or cause).

prone

prostrate; inclined to (undesirable things)

propagate

(of animals or plants) To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production

propensity

an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way.

prophetic

accurately predicting what will happen in the future.

propinquity

nearness in time or place affinity of nature

propitiate

to appease

propitious

giving or indicating a good chance of success; favourable.

prosaic

having or using the style or diction of prose as opposed to poetry; lacking imaginativeness or originality.

proscribe

to condemn

proselytize

to convert

provident

frugal; looking to the future

provincial

A person belonging to a province; one who is provincial.

provisional

of the present time only

provocative

causing anger or another strong reaction, especially deliberately.

prowess

Skillfulness and manual ability; adroitness or dexterity.

proxy

An agent or substitute authorized to act for another person.

prudent

acting with or showing care and thought for the future.

prune

dried plum silly person

pry

get something inquire too curiously