intro
noun
an introduction.
intro
1 American
[in-troh]
/ ˈɪn troʊ /
noun
Informal.
-
intros
plural
-
an introduction.
-
the introductory passage of a piece for a jazz or dance band.
intro-
2
American
intro.
3
American
Or
introd
abbreviation
-
introduce.
-
introduced.
-
introducing.
-
introduction.
-
introductory.
intro.
1
British
abbreviation
-
introduction
-
introductory
intro
2
British
/ ˈɪntrəʊ /
noun
intro-
3
British
prefix
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The show's opening set the tone for the star-studded evening to follow, as British actor Sir Idris Elba kicked things off by performing the intro track to his 2007 album, American Gangster.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
That intro synth loop is very Whigs v2, in that it feels like it got borrowed from the Twilight Singers, as is the gently hypnotic backbeat and the female vocals.
From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026
On Friday, she salsified “Provenza” and added the riff of Willie Colón’s “La Murga” as an intro to “Tusa.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
“Best and Last’s” intro splat-tacular, typically a highlight of each film, hinges on the posse standing still on a moving floor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
“What? I heard the story. Fish-centaurs. Merpeople. Letter of intro to the Tiber River god. Got it. But these brownies—” “I know,” Frank said, his mouth full.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
In the 14 months since Prime Minister Harold Wilson intro- duced the severest repression of all, the country has stumbled into an agonizing business slump.
From Time Magazine Archive
Nancy, as she liked to be called on all but the most formal of occasions intro- duced the committee's first afternoon witness.
From Terminal Compromise: computer terrorism: when privacy and freedom are the victims: a novel by Winn Schwartau
It contains a very complete intro- duction to the Internet and classroom Internet projects for K12 teachers.
From Email 101 by John Goodwin
“There was one the other day that had my season’s intro. It said something like, ‘I’m starting my Zoom meeting like this,’ and it was all of us singing the theme song,” Velez said.
From Slate ● Apr. 15, 2020
Cox didn’t realize her mistake until later. “I am so sorry to #Metallica and all their fans. I am told I didn’t say their names during the intro. Love you Metallica. You Rock,” she tweeted.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 19, 2017
“I didn’t realize how important it was to get the proper intro. I just cold-emailed to all of the big venture companies and said, ‘I have a game that will be the next big thing.’
From New York Times ● Dec. 31, 2013
I do think that the best easy to read intro. to cosmology and astronomy is still Cosmos by Carl Sagan, although it's obviously slightly dated now.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 25, 2011
I'll give you an intro., if you like.
From Captivity by M. Leonora Eyles
So when my Google searches treat my request for info about sitcom intros of years past like splitting the atom, I get suspicious.
From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026
Shorter intros that leave room for a natural conversation feel more welcoming, he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025
In Dragon Ball Z, Harris's deep, distinctive voice became iconic when heard narrating recaps, intros and outros for episodes.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2024
“Eventually I became what I grew up with, which is a folk music act with a funny monologist, making funny intros to songs.”
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 26, 2024
Durkin renders 1980s Texas with fine-tuned detail, and there is plenty of fun with the carefully re-created matches at the Sportatorium, the smack-talking rivalries, the swaggering Von Erich intros set to Rush’s “Tom Sawyer.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2023
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.
