Meaning & use
proto
Last updated
A combining form meaning 'first,' 'original,' or 'earliest form of,' used to describe an early or primitive version of something.
See it in a sentence
Linguists study Proto-Indo-European to understand how modern languages evolved.
The engineers built a proto version of the device before mass production began.
A note on using this word
Proto is mainly attached to another word, as in 'prototype' or 'proto-language,' rather than standing alone in formal writing.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “proto”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.