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introductory

American  
[in-truh-duhk-tuh-ree] / ˌɪn trəˈdʌk tə ri /
Sometimes introductive

adjective

  1. serving or used to introduce; preliminary; beginning.

    an introductory course; an introductory paragraph.


introductory British  
/ ˌɪntrəˈdʌktərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

  1. serving as an introduction; preliminary; prefatory

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See preliminary.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of introductory

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin intrōductōrius, equivalent to Latin intrōduc-, variant stem of intrōdūcere ( see introduce) + -tōrius -tory 1

Explanation

Something introductory prefaces or explains what comes after it. An introductory paragraph at the start of your essay will sum up the ideas you plan to discuss. Introductory remarks before a speech will give some basic information about the speaker or her topic, and an introductory scene in a movie sets up the characters, time period, or setting so the story makes sense. This 17th century adjective is from the Latin word introductorius, from introducere, "to lead in," with its roots intro-, "inward," and ducere, "to lead."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing introductory

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Introductory prices for a 45-minute group ride are in the range of $125-$175, Skelton said, and may be adjusted as the operation settles in.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2025

Projection “is a way of avoiding the recognition of one’s own weaknesses and faults,” says Sigmund Freud in “New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis.”

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2023

Introductory pricing will be lower — $699 — and you can find global versions of the phone on Amazon right now for a bit less than MSRP.

From The Verge • Aug. 27, 2022

MAY 23 Introductory session, walk through the garden to learn to care for irises, 6:30 p.m.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2019

He stood by my desk, flipped idly through the Introductory Technology textbook open before me.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie