preterit

or pret·er·ite

[ pret-er-it ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Grammar.

in English, the simple past, or an instance or form of a specific verb in the simple past, such as ate or walked.
a verb tense, construction, or form in another language with a meaning similar to that of the simple past in English.

adjective

Grammar. designating a verb tense expressing a past action or state.
Archaic. bygone; past.

Discover More

Other Words From

pret·er·it·ness noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of preterit¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin praeteritus “past, gone by,” past participle of praeterīre “to go by,” from praeter- preter- + īre “to go”; as tense name, from Latin (tempus) praeteritum “(time) past”

Discover More

Example Sentences

The passive voice is formed by joining the participle preterit to the substantive verb, as I am loved.

From Project Gutenberg

Our verbs are observed by Dr. Wallis to be irregular only in the formation of the preterit, and its participle.

From Project Gutenberg

If did is itself a contraction of doed, the regular preterit, which is probable, whence comes ed in this word?

From Project Gutenberg

Grammarians allege that the termination of the regular preterit tense, ed, is a corruption of did.

From Project Gutenberg

The verbal forms in-ara and-iera were used then as now as the equivalent of the pluperfect or the preterit indicative.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

preterist preterite

Browse