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  • intro
    intro
    noun
  • intro-
    intro-
    a prefix, meaning “inwardly,” “within,” occurring in loanwords from Latin (introspection ); occasionally used in the formation of new words (introjection ).
  • intro.
    intro.
    abbreviation
    introduce.
Synonyms

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.


intro- 2 American  
  1. a prefix, meaning “inwardly,” “within,” occurring in loanwords from Latin (introspection ); occasionally used in the formation of new words (introjection ).


intro. 3 American  
Or introd

abbreviation

  1. introduce.

  2. introduced.

  3. introducing.

  4. introduction.

  5. introductory.


intro. 1 British  

abbreviation

  1. introduction

  2. introductory

"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

intro 2 British  
/ ˈɪntrəʊ /

noun

  1. informal short for introduction

"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

intro- 3 British  

prefix

  1. in, into, or inward

    introvert

"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

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."

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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.

After Carpenter finished a rendition of Juno, Madonna emerged while the intro of Vogue played out and dancers struck a pose.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

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

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway’ has a cross-fingered intro on the keyboards, and this little run before the first verse comes in.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

That persistent harmonica intro or, god-forbid, his later forays into doo-wop were an eternal annoyance, part of the reason he started looking for some alternative in the first place.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

The familiar intro from Frozen’s “Let it Go” begins.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks

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