prig
1 of 2noun (1)
ˈprig 
: thief
prig
2 of 2noun (2)
1
archaic : fop
2
archaic : fellow, person
3
: one who offends or irritates by observance of proprieties (as of speech or manners) in a pointed manner or to an obnoxious degree
priggery
ˈpri-gə-rē
noun priggish
ˈpri-gish
adjective priggishly adverb
priggishness noun
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
prig to steal
Noun (2)
probably from prig entry 1
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1567, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1
prigs
noun
as in puritans
disapproving someone who annoys people by being very careful about proper behavior and by criticizing the behavior of other people She is too much of a prig for my liking. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- puritans
- moralists
- spoilsports
- prudes
- bluenoses
- fuddy-duddies
- stuffed shirts
- old maids
- moralizers
- wowsers
- nice nellies
- goody-goodies
- Mrs. Grundys
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- libertines
- libertarians
- immoralists
- misbehavers