introductory
Americanadjective
adjective
Related Words
See preliminary.
Other Word Forms
- introductorily adverb
- introductoriness noun
- subintroductive adjective
- subintroductory adjective
- unintroductive adjective
- unintroductory adjective
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.
He said the meeting was only introductory, the journalist wasn't a client and he didn't believe he had given regulated immigration advice.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
Amateur titles, he attended Stanford but left in 1996 after two years and turned pro at 20, smiling and saying “Hello, world” at his introductory news conference.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026
And at her introductory press conference, Wooden’s daughter, Nan, sat in the front row.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
After we had scheduled an introductory phone call, she wrote again:
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026
The first assignment today is to give an introductory talk to a new crop of tour guides.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
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.
