intro

¹ American  

[in-troh] / ˈɪn troʊ /

noun

Informal.

plural

intros

1. an introduction.

2. the introductory passage of a piece for a jazz or dance band.

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intro- ² American  

1. a prefix, meaning “inwardly,” “within,” occurring in loanwords from Latin (introspection ); occasionally used in the formation of new words (introjection ).

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intro. ³ American  

Or introd

abbreviation

1. introduce.

2. introduced.

3. introducing.

4. introduction.

5. introductory.

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intro. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. introduction

2. introductory

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intro ² British  

/ ˈɪntrəʊ /

noun

1. informal short for introduction

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intro- ³ British  

prefix

1. in, into, or inward

   introvert

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Etymology

Origin of intro¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; shortening of introduction

Origin of intro-²

< Latin, representing intrō (adv.) inwardly, within

Explanation

An intro is the opening section of a piece of music, usually before the singing begins. Often when you hear a pop song's intro, it's so familiar that you'll recognize it immediately. There are intros in popular music, as well as other musical styles, and a book or essay can have an intro as well, a few paragraphs or pages setting up the ideas to follow. Another kind of intro is when you formally present, or introduce, a person to a group or an individual. In fact, intro is a casual shorthand for introduction, from the Latin introductionem, "a leading in."

Example Sentences

The jukebox remains associated with early rock ’n’ roll, and the iconic sitcom “Happy Days” rolls its intro and credits over a jukebox while teenagers dance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

“So a guy that I matched with two months ago just messaged me asking if I’m still making sourdough bread,” Chilcott said in the intro.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

Even the extended intro credits have a witty energy that makes you forgive that they’re tap dancing to pad the length.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025

From its first track, also titled “Sendé,” Castro sets the mood with a sticky intro by Jamaican toaster U-Roy from Dawn Penn’s “No, No, No.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

Her intro was playing, the moment arrived, and, as she started singing, the fear dissipated and the nausea vanished.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

• addition
• debut
• establishment
• inauguration
• influx
• initiation
• installation
• launch
• opening
• preface
• presentation