B2nounnaturescience
US/preɪ/
UK/preɪ/
an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal
In context
The lion waited quietly in the grass until its prey came close enough.
Owls hunt at night, and small mice are their main prey.
Some birds of prey can spot a rabbit from far away.
Words that go with prey
noun + preposition
- bird of preyThe eagle is a bird of prey.
verb + preposition
- prey onFoxes prey on rabbits and birds.
- fall prey toMany elderly people fall prey to online scams.
adjective + noun
- easy preyYoung animals are easy prey.
verb + noun
- stalk its preyThe cat stalked its prey slowly across the garden.
- catch preySpiders catch prey in their webs.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The wolves pray on sheep.Correct: The wolves prey on sheep.
Incorrect:
a preyCorrect: prey