prerogative

Everyday

1. A special right that belongs to a person or group because of who they are or their job: «It is the judge's prerogative to decide.» tree →
2. (law, UK history) Royal prerogative: powers that belong to the king or queen and the government acting for them. tree →
3. (everyday, a bit formal) Your own choice that nobody else can make for you: «It's your prerogative to change your mind.» tree →

In the lessons

In history and citizenship lessons it explains powers of kings, presidents or judges. In everyday talk people say «It's my prerogative» to mean «it is my right to choose». Phrases: «royal prerogative», «the prerogative of», «it's your prerogative».

Examples

• In the past, starting a war was the king's prerogative. tree →
• It is the referee's prerogative to stop the match. tree →
• Choosing the class trip is the head teacher's prerogative. tree →
• «It's my prerogative to change my mind,» said my sister. tree →
• The royal prerogative is now mostly used by government ministers. tree →
• Parents have the prerogative to choose their children's school. tree →
• This direct emanation from his own self, justly his favourite child, his better and purer counterpart, received from him several important prerogatives. tree →

Note

Countable: a prerogative, prerogatives. Spelling trap: pre-ROG-a-tive, not «perogative». It is a formal word; simpler: «right», «special power», «choice».