introductory
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
See preliminary.
Other Word Forms
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.
In introductory remarks, Trump briefly endorsed Fed independence, the notion that the central bank should be free from political influence when setting monetary policy.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
Kaziha would stock the mosque’s store with books, always anticipating the community’s needs, finding introductory prayer books and Spanish translations for the mosque’s growing Latino population.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
The team also marked the beginning of testing with a symbolic moment by sending an email titled "Hello Universe," referencing the famous introductory messages used during the early days of computer programming.
From Science Daily • May 15, 2026
Novo sells its Wegovy pen for as little as $199 a month as part of an introductory offer for self-pay patients, with the price rising to $349 after two months.
From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026
It was an uneventful class otherwise, once Mrs. Torrance reined the students in, and they began their introductory lesson to Achebe.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
