Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Prioritize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

⏳
Add to dictionary

prioritize

[prʌɪˈɔːrɪˌtaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

time management

To prioritize means to determine the order for dealing with a series of tasks or goals, based on their relative importance or urgency. It involves deciding what needs to be done first and what can wait.

Synonyms

organize, rank, schedule.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
prioritize

Use this word when you want to arrange tasks or items in order of importance, especially when some tasks need urgent attention.

  • You need to prioritize your tasks to meet the project deadline.
  • Lisa prioritized her studies over social activities during exams.
rank

Use 'rank' when you want to arrange items or people in order based on certain criteria, like performance, quality, or importance. This often carries a more formal or evaluative tone.

  • The company ranks its employees based on their annual performance reviews.
  • We need to rank the candidates before making a decision.
organize

This word is best used for arranging or setting up things in a structured and efficient way. It often applies to physical spaces, documents, or events.

  • I need to organize my desk to improve my productivity.
  • They organized the event very well, with everything running smoothly.
schedule

This word is used when you want to plan events or tasks to occur at specific times. It is more about time management and planning.

  • Let's schedule a meeting for next Monday.
  • She scheduled her day to maximize productivity.

Examples of usage

  • I need to prioritize my workload for today.
  • It's important to prioritize your tasks to meet deadlines.
Context #2 | Verb

importance

To prioritize also means to treat something as more important than other things. It implies giving higher value or attention to a particular task or goal.

Synonyms

emphasize, focus on, highlight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
prioritize

Used when discussing the arrangement of tasks or duties in order of importance. Commonly found in professional or personal planning scenarios.

  • We need to prioritize our projects to meet the deadlines.
  • She always prioritizes her family over work.
emphasize

Applied when pointing out the importance or value of something, often to make it stand out. Frequently used in discussions, presentations, and written communication.

  • The speaker emphasized the need for immediate action.
  • He emphasized the importance of good study habits.
highlight

Used when making something stand out as particularly important or interesting. Often seen in reports, articles, presentations, or visual media.

  • The report highlights the key achievements of the quarter.
  • She highlighted the main points of the document.
focus on

Used when directing attention or efforts toward a particular subject, task, or object. Suitable for both everyday and professional contexts.

  • Let's focus on improving our customer service.
  • She decided to focus on her studies this year.

Examples of usage

  • I prioritize spending time with my family over work.
  • Health should be prioritized above all else.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Time Management

  • Good prioritization helps people manage their time better, leading to increased productivity.
  • The Eisenhower Matrix is a popular tool for prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance.
  • Many successful people emphasize prioritizing tasks to reach their goals more effectively.

Psychology

  • Research shows that when we prioritize tasks, we greatly reduce feelings of overwhelm and stress.
  • Cognitive psychology suggests that prioritizing can enhance focus and improve memory retention.
  • People often prioritize tasks based on their motivations and expectations of outcomes.

Education

  • Educators encourage prioritization to help students manage their studies and personal lives effectively.
  • Setting clear learning goals can aid in prioritizing subjects or assignments that need more attention.
  • Teaching children to prioritize tasks can foster responsibility and independence in their learning.

Business Strategy

  • In business, prioritizing projects can assist in resource allocation and strategic planning.
  • Companies often prioritize customer feedback to innovate and improve their products.
  • Effective prioritization is crucial for agile methodologies in software development, allowing teams to adapt quickly.

Origin of 'prioritize'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin term 'prior,' meaning 'earlier' or 'first.'
  • It was first used in English around the 1970s to describe making decisions about importance.
  • The suffix '-itize' gives it the sense of causing something to gain priority or importance.

The word 'prioritize' originated from the combination of 'prior' (from Latin 'prior', meaning 'former' or 'earlier') and the suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein', forming verbs). It first appeared in the early 19th century, emphasizing the act of assigning priority or importance to tasks or goals.

See also: prior, priority.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,540, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.