English · Nature & Environment
prey
/preɪ/
[/preɪ/]
hunted animal
Intermediatenoun
Definition
An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.
Example
The rabbit is easy prey for the fox when it strays too far from its burrow.
The rabbit is easy prey for the fox when it strays too far from its burrow.
Etymology
From Old French 'preie', from Latin 'praeda', booty.
How & Where It’s Used
Both noun and verb ('prey on'); contrasted with predator.