What does prey mean?
Prey is a versatile word describing the object of a hunt and, figuratively, the person or thing that is pursued or exploited. As a noun, it can refer to an animal sought by a predator, but it also describes someone vulnerable to danger, deception, crime, or unfair treatment. As a verb, “prey” means to hunt or seize, while “prey on” can indicate either an animal feeding on another animal or a person taking advantage of someone else. The word appears in established expressions including “fall prey to,” “easy prey,” and “prey on.” Its figurative uses are usually negative: they imply a power imbalance in which one party is hunted, manipulated, or victimized. Prey therefore captures both the literal relationship between predator and hunted animal and the broader human experience of being targeted without adequate protection or power.
An animal hunted by another animal, especially for food; a person or thing pursued, exploited, or treated as a victim.
"The deer was alert to the danger posed by its natural prey, the wolves."
The plural “preys” is standard, although “prey” is also used collectively for hunted animals.
To hunt or seize prey; to victimize, exploit, or take advantage of someone.
"The scammer preyed on elderly people who had not checked the source of the unexpected prize."
In the figurative sense, “prey on” usually implies deliberate exploitation or psychological pressure.
“Preys” is the standard plural when referring to individual victims or hunted animals; “prey” is also used collectively, especially in hunting and biological contexts.
"Wolves are efficient hunters and often pursue their preys across open ground."
From the Latin word for booty, “prey” has always carried a double meaning: what is seized and whoever is taken advantage of.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prey come from?
Prey comes through Middle English from the Old French word preier, meaning to plunder or seize, which derives from Latin praedare, “to plunder, seize, or take as booty.” Latin praedare was based on praeda, meaning “booty, spoil, or prey.” The same Latin root is reflected in English words such as predator, predation, predatory, and predate. Over time, the word developed from the idea of seizing spoil into its modern meanings of hunting and victimizing.
Related word forms
How prey is actually used
The noun commonly appears in phrases such as “fall prey to” and “easy prey,” where it suggests vulnerability. The verb “prey on” can mean literally hunt for food or figuratively exploit, deceive, or victimize. The figurative senses often have a strongly negative or predatory connotation.
Easily confused with prey
Prey refers to something hunted, pursued, or exploited, whereas pray means to ask a deity for help or to plead with someone.