prologue

American  

[proh-lawg, -log] / ˈproʊ lɔg, -lɒg /

Or prolog

noun

1. a preliminary discourse; a preface or introductory part of a discourse, poem, or novel.

2. an introductory speech, often in verse, calling attention to the theme of a play.

3. the actor or actress who delivers the introductory speech that calls attention to the theme of a play.

4. an introductory scene, preceding the first act of a play, opera, etc.

5. any introductory proceeding, event, etc..

   Appetizing delicacies were the prologue to a long dinner.

   Synonyms:

   prelude, opening, beginning, preamble

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verb (used with object)

prologued, prologuing

1. to introduce with or as if with a prologue.

prologue British  

/ ˈprəʊlɒɡ /

noun

1. 1. the prefatory lines introducing a play or speech

   2. the actor speaking these lines

2. a preliminary act or event

3. 1. an introductory scene in which a narrator summarizes the main action of the work

   2. a brief independent play preceding the opera, esp one in honour of a patron

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verb

1. (tr) to introduce or preface with or as if with a prologue

Other Word Forms

• prologist noun
• prologlike adjective
• prologuelike adjective
• prologuist noun
• unprologued adjective

Etymology

Origin of prologue

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English prolog(e), prologue, from Old French prologue and Latin prologus, from Greek prólogos; pro- ², -logue

Example Sentences

We meet him following a prologue set in a prison, where an old man is given the task of burning a batch of papers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

He mentioned another guy, who is now in my prologue, Georg Ritter von Schönerer, a Viennese aristocrat who was inspirational to Hitler at a given moment in Hitler’s youth.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

UK road champion Sam Watson won the opening prologue of the race for Ineos Grenadiers.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

But if past is prologue, investors, at least, could come out ahead.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

The tale of Cadmus and his daughters is only a prologue to the greater story.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• foreword
• prelude