Meaning
To observe, study, or pay close attention to something or someone — to check out, scope, size up, or dwell on. 'Pree dat' means look at that, take note of that, and 'mi a pree yuh' means I'm watching and studying you closely. A common word of the newer street and youth speech, it names the act of keen, deliberate attention, whether admiring, suspicious, or analytical, and to 'pree a ting' is to look into it carefully. It has spread widely through dancehall and diaspora slang.
Examples
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Pree how di man a gwaan.
Check out how the man is behaving.
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Mi a pree di whole situation before mi move.
I'm studying the whole situation before I act.
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Him a pree di gyal from across di room.
He's checking out the girl from across the room.
Origin
Thought to come from 'appreciate' or 'peer'; in modern Patois and dancehall it means to observe closely, study, or focus on.
How it’s used
Common in modern youth and dancehall speech. 'Pree' can be neutral (observe) or intense (fixate on).