IELTS Vocabulary: Understanding the Word ‘Prisoner’
Learn about the word ‘prisoner’ for your IELTS exam. This video covers the definition, word type, history, synonyms, antonyms, usage examples, and common mistakes to avoid when using this important vocabulary term.
Imagine being locked away, unable to leave. This is the life of a prisoner. Today, we’re learning about this important word for your IELTS preparation.
Word type: Prisoner is a noun. It’s a person, not an action or description.
Meaning: A prisoner is someone who is kept in a prison or jail as punishment for a crime they committed.
It can also refer to a person captured and held by an enemy during war.
Word history: The word prisoner comes from the Old French word prisonier, which means someone who is captured.
This helps us remember that a prisoner is someone who is not free.
Antonyms: The opposites of prisoner include words like free person, civilian, or citizen.
These are people who are not confined or held against their will.
Synonyms: Some similar words for prisoner are inmate, convict, or detainee.
These all refer to people who are held in confinement, usually by legal authorities.
Examples use in sentences:
The prisoner was allowed one phone call per week to contact his family. After serving his sentence, the former prisoner worked hard to rebuild his life.
During the war, many soldiers became prisoners and were held in camps. Common errors in use: A common mistake is confusing prisoner with prison.
Remember, a prisoner is the person, while a prison is the place. For example, you would say The prisoner is in the prison, not The prison is in the prisoner.
To wrap up, a prisoner is a person held in confinement, usually as punishment or during war. It’s a noun with several synonyms like inmate or convict.
Remember to use it correctly in your IELTS speaking and writing tasks to show your vocabulary range.
