introductory
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
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."
Vocabulary lists containing introductory
Lessons 1–2
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Writing - High School
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Purpose
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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.
It is manufactured and sold in more than 200 countries and territories, yet its story began with a tiny introductory advertisement in the Atlanta Journal of May 29, 1886: “Coca-Cola. Delicious! Refreshing! Exhilarating! Invigorating!”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Some pharmacies have limited-time introductory offers, where the first few doses are sold at a relatively low price.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
“The front office was very transparent, they want to win,” Leonard said at his introductory Clippers news conference on July 24, 2019.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
“Our founding fathers drafted a charter to guarantee the rule of law and the rights of man,” says Obama in an introductory monologue.
From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026
He kissed me, polite &r introductory at first— Oh God—I am so deeply in love!
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
