introductory

Sometimes in·tro·duc·tive

[in-truh-duhk-tuh-ree]

adjective

1. serving or used to introduce; preliminary; beginning.

   an introductory course; an introductory paragraph.

introductory

/ ˌɪntrəˈdʌktərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. serving as an introduction; preliminary; prefatory

Other Word Forms

• introductorily adverb
• introductoriness noun
• subintroductive adjective
• subintroductory adjective
• unintroductive adjective
• unintroductory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of introductory¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin intrōductōrius, equivalent to Latin intrōduc-, variant stem of intrōdūcere ( introduce ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Synonym Study

See preliminary.

Example Sentences

There’s also artwork shown for abandoned concepts, such as a never-built Chinese restaurant with a robotic host that was envisioned for Main Street, as well as alternative visions for the introductory land.

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The idea for “One Hand Clapping” grew out of an introductory biology course that Mr. Kukushkin teaches at New York University, and he’s clearly developed a knack for keeping undergraduates awake.

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Steven Pinker, a professor who teaches an introductory psychology course, said he has felt compelled to inflate grades at a similar rate to the college-wide data, even though he believes student performance has sunk.

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“A lot of pressure is put on that first introductory meeting,” he said.

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“This is a true story about two men the world forgot,” reads the introductory title.

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Related Words

• inaugural 
• preparatory