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.
Introductory news conferences are nothing new for the Dodgers these days.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2025
Introductory shooting classes are booked up months into the future, even on the Sabbath, because people are so desperate for slots.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 5, 2023
Projection “is a way of avoiding the recognition of one’s own weaknesses and faults,” says Sigmund Freud in “New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis.”
From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2023
Introductory pricing will be lower — $699 — and you can find global versions of the phone on Amazon right now for a bit less than MSRP.
From The Verge • Aug. 27, 2022
Introductory phrases like these have become so familiar that they have earned the right to be exceptions to the rule.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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.
