‘Premier’ vs ‘Premiere’: What’s the Difference? English has a funny way of letting tiny changes make big impacts, and in this article, you’ll learn that adding an “e” can mean all the difference. Read carefully to learn when is the proper time to use each of these new words.
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Obviously, one of these words has an “e” at the end, and the other one doesn’t — but why is that the case, and how does it change the word? At first glance, this may seem like a case of British English spelling versus American English spelling, but in fact, they are two different American words.
Both words come from similar origins, the Latin “principal” that then evolved to the Old French “premiere” which, as you may have guessed, both mean ‘first.’ You can use this as a clue to what they mean, but you’ll need more to tell them apart.
One trick, for example, is that the two words belong to different parts of speech.
Finally, a rather silly yet effective way to distinguish between the two is to remember that ‘Premiere’ with an “e” at the end sounds more bougie and theatrical. This may help you connect it to its meaning being related to the theater. Cheesy, yes, but helpful.
Yet, the real best way to tell these two apart is to learn more about what they actually mean and how they work. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at our two new words.
According to Oxford Languages, ‘Premier’ is an adjective that means:
As a noun, ‘Premier’ can also mean:
Remember, think “primary” as in things that come first or are in the lead.
So what happens when we add an “e” to the end of the above word? According to Oxford Languages, ‘Premiere’ is a noun that means:
As a verb, ‘Premiere’ can also mean:
If you get mixed up, remember the theatrical spelling that corresponds with its theatrical definition.
Despite the difference in spelling between these two words, they are actually pronounced the same, which can add to the confusion when learning them. Fortunately, though, it means that you’ll learn to pronounce two words for the price of one, so you’ll be able to say them properly in a conversation or presentation regardless of which form you’re using. Learn how to pronounce them both below.
Use this phonetic spelling of both ‘Premier’ and ‘Premiere’ as a guide:
Do note: In other countries, like the United Kingdom and Australia, their accent may cause the final “r” to appear silent, but that doesn’t change the spelling.
Given the pronunciations are so similar, telling ‘Premier’ vs ‘Premiere’ apart can be tricky when you don’t have the words in front of you, and you’re just hearing them aloud. That is where context clues come to the rescue, especially with words like these that are similar in origin and meaning.
Learning using examples can sometimes be the most helpful in determining when is best and proper to use new vocabulary words, and we want to equip you with all the possible tools to learn.
Here are some example sentences for ‘Premier’ vs ‘Premiere’ to help you nail down context.
As you’ve read here, and in other confusing word articles, one letter can mean all the difference, even in similar words like ‘Premier’ vs ‘Premiere.’ Learning their definitions is only half the battle, but as long as you remember different possible contexts you’ll be able to use these new words like a pro.
Need a review? Here’s a quick recap of what was covered:
Keep a sharp eye out for small spelling distinctions and open your ears to all the possible scenarios where words might appear. Keep learning, and you’re sure to become an English language master in no time.
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