prisoner

USAGE SUMMARY

"prisoner" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person who is incarcerated or otherwise being held against their will, especially in a correctional facility. Example sentence: After being convicted of the crime, the defendant was taken to a prison and became a prisoner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anthony McIntyre, a former IRA life sentence prisoner and chief researcher on the Belfast project, defended the archive and blamed Boston College for failing to make clear to him and the interviewees that there was a legal treaty that allowed the British state to seize academic material from the United States.

The Guardian

A Washington Post article published on Wednesday revealed vague details of a police document that quoted a prisoner who had been placed in the same police van as Gray – though in a separate compartment – as saying Gray had been "trying to injure himself".

The Guardian

They would then order the prisoner to fetch it.

The Guardian

In plain English, he was likely to be "mentally retarded" and fall into the very category of prisoner who the supreme court had just declared must not be executed.

The Guardian

However the papers do repeatedly show the British government formally saying it is for the Scottish executive to decide if Megrahi should be released on compassionate grounds, or under the prisoner transfer agreement signed by the British with the Libyans.

The Guardian

The prisoner deal clearly meant Megrahi would be eligible for transfer back to Tripoli.

The Guardian

The original confusion about the law stems from the 2003 Criminal Justice Act, which scrapped the need for a minister to automatically review a whole-life sentence after a prisoner had served 25 years.

The Guardian

A prisoner in Georgia who has been diagnosed as intellectually disabled by all medical experts who have examined him will be put to death on Monday unless the US supreme court acts to enforce its own constitutional ban on executing "mentally retarded" individuals.

The Guardian

The latter is a delirious surrealist fantasy involving a murderous child, a dreamy girl who might be his mother, a pirate who keeps her prisoner on a rocky island, incestuous relationships, a castration and a rape.

The Guardian - Film

Jozef Paczynski, a Polish political prisoner at Auschwitz who became the personal barber to camp commander Rudolf Höss, has died.

The Guardian

He was then taken by American troops and thought he would be shot, but became a prisoner of British forces and ended up in a PoW camp at Ashton-in-Makerfield, in Lancashire.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term, consider if a more specific descriptor is applicable. For example, instead of "prisoner", one might use "detainee" or "political prisoner" for greater clarity.

Common error

Don't use "prisoner" when a more specific term is appropriate. For instance, "detainee" may be more suitable when the person is held but not yet convicted.

Linguistic Context

The word "prisoner" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a person confined in a prison or held captive. It is a straightforward descriptor, as supported by Ludwig AI and the numerous examples provided. The function remains consistent across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "prisoner" is a common noun referring to someone held in confinement, typically within a correctional facility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Analysis of the provided examples reveals its prevalent use in News & Media. While semantically related terms like "inmate", "detainee", and "captive" exist, "prisoner" often provides a neutral and general description, suitable for various contexts. To enhance writing precision, one should consider whether a more specific term like "political prisoner" or "detainee" is more accurate. Overall, "prisoner" is a valuable term with a well-defined meaning and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inmate

Refers specifically to someone confined in a correctional institution.

held captive

Explicitly states the condition of being held against one's will.

detainee

Emphasizes the act of being detained, not necessarily in a prison.

captive

Highlights the state of being held against one's will, often by an enemy.

convict

Focuses on the legal status of having been found guilty of a crime.

confined individual

A more formal way of describing someone who is restricted to a space.

warden

Implies someone under protection and guardianship, but against their will.

internee

Describes someone confined during wartime or for political reasons.

hostage

Specifically refers to someone held as security for demands.

POW (prisoner of war)

Denotes a member of the military captured by the enemy during wartime.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "prisoner"?

You can use alternatives like "inmate", "detainee", or "captive" depending on the context.

How is a "prisoner" different from a "detainee"?

A "prisoner" is generally someone convicted of a crime and serving time in a correctional facility, while a "detainee" is someone being held in custody, often without a conviction.

When is it appropriate to use the term "captive" instead of "prisoner"?

"Captive" is more appropriate when someone is held against their will by an enemy or captor, not necessarily within a formal prison setting, whereas "prisoner" often implies confinement within a legal system.

What are some common misconceptions about "prisoners"?

A common misconception is that all "prisoners" are violent or dangerous. In reality, "prisoners" come from diverse backgrounds and have committed a range of offenses, and many are non-violent offenders.