Prey | Mean of prey in English Dictionary

/ˈpreɪ/

• Noun
• an animal that is hunted or killed by another animal for food
1. The lion stalked its prey.
2. The bird circled above looking for prey.
3. The seals are easy prey for sharks.
• someone who is easily harmed or affected in a bad way by someone or something
1. Too often elderly people are easy prey for swindlers and other criminals.
• to be killed by (an animal, disease, etc.)
1. The deer fell prey to coyotes.
2. Many people fell prey to disease.

• to be harmed or affected in a bad way by (someone or something)
1. After the accident, she was prey to all kinds of anxieties.
2. Some of his friends fell prey to drugs.
3. She fell prey to an online scam.
• Verb
• to hunt and kill (something) for food
1. The wolves prey on small animals.
• to hurt, cheat, or steal from (someone)
1. criminals who prey on lonely elderly people
2. Gangs are known to prey on tourists in the city.
• to make someone worry
1. Her growing debts preyed on her mind. [=she worried about her growing debts]
2. The thought that he could have done better preyed on his mind.
3. a question that preys on the minds of many of us