preexisting

B2 Topic:Time

Also spelled pre-existing

US /ˌpriː.ɪɡˈzɪs.tɪŋ/ UK /ˌpriː.ɪɡˈzɪs.tɪŋ/
adj Freq #52572

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    already existing before a particular time, event, or situation

    The treatment may aggravate a preexisting heart condition.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · already existing before a... prioralready existingpreexistent
Opposites
Word family
Related forms preexistexistexisting

Etymology

Formed from pre- 'before' + existing, the present participle of exist. The hyphenated spelling pre-existing remains common.

Topics

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