preface

[ pref-is ]

/ ˈprɛf ɪs /

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See synonyms for preface on Thesaurus.com

noun

a preliminary statement in a book by the book's author or editor, setting forth its purpose and scope, expressing acknowledgment of assistance from others, etc.

an introductory part, as of a speech.

something preliminary or introductory: The meeting was the preface to an alliance.

Ecclesiastical. a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.

verb (used with object), pref·aced, pref·ac·ing.

to provide with or introduce by a preface.

to serve as a preface to.

OTHER WORDS FOR preface

2, 3 preamble, prologue, prolegomena.

See synonyms for preface on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR preface

1 appendix.

2, 3 epilogue.

See antonyms for preface on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of preface

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin prēfātia, for Latin praefātiō “a saying beforehand,” equivalent to praefāt(us) (past participle of praefārī “to say beforehand”; see pre-, fate) + -iōn- -ion

synonym study for preface

1. See introduction.

OTHER WORDS FROM preface

pref·ac·er, nounun·pref·aced, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use preface in a sentence

In a new preface, Johnson explains that he was reluctant to tell the story of how wine has since “joined the tedious world of luxury goods.”
Crack open the best 2020 wine books for rich history, international politics and a vintner’s lively memoir|Dave McIntyre|December 11, 2020|Washington Post
It begins with a preface in which Obama says he wants to give an “honest rendering” of the events that happened on his watch and ends with the death of Osama bin Laden.
Obama memoir addresses evolution on LGBTQ rights|Kathi Wolfe|December 5, 2020|Washington Blade
The book was conceived and written before the pandemic, and Krznaric only managed to squeeze in a coronavirus-related preface before sending it to print and turning, like many others, to homeschooling kids and rearranging routines.
“Are we being good ancestors?” should be the central question of our time|Katie McLean|October 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
I prefaced it by saying, “Bill Clinton was such a dog, that…” so they cut out the story angle.
Tom Sizemore’s Revenge: On Tom Cruise’s Scientology Recruitment, Drugs, and Craving a Comeback|Marlow Stern|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She prefaced her remarks by stating that she was not going to give “a campaign political speech.”
Joni Ernst's Big Pivot: From Pig Castrator to Iowa Nice|Ben Jacobs|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nearly three weeks later, I received a stock e-mailed apology, prefaced by a quick summary of the United Airlines world view.
The National-Security Diaper Scramble|Philip Shishkin|April 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
My link was prefaced by a caveat that the story was a disgrace: "If accurate."
Yes, Bin Laden's Killer Will Get Healthcare Benefits|David Frum|February 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Things take a turn at 4:06, making you wonder if that relates to what was prefaced in the video as “inspired by true events.”
Adam Levine, Grizzly Bear & More of the Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO)|Jean Trinh|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This step was prefaced by the announcement of new and extensive alterations in the bill.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
The right honourable baronet prefaced his motion by a speech of two hours' duration.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
I prefaced my talk by references to cats, rabbits, etc., and finished up by diagnosing the political situation in Russia.
My Wonderful Visit|Charlie Chaplin
An insolent demand from Ah Sing and Wobanguli that they surrender prefaced the hostilities.
The Argus Pheasant|John Charles Beecham
The Historical Notice with which Mr. Hamilton has prefaced it is a noble production, and worthy of the subject and of his name.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 97, November, 1865|Various

British Dictionary definitions for preface

preface

/ (ˈprɛfɪs) /

noun

a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword

anything introductory

RC Church a prayer of thanksgiving and exhortation serving as an introduction to the canon of the Mass

verb (tr)

to furnish with a preface

to serve as a preface to

Derived forms of preface

prefacer, noun

Word Origin for preface

C14: from Medieval Latin praefātia, from Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, from praefārī to utter in advance, from prae before + fārī to say

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

preface

OTHER WORDS FOR preface

OPPOSITES FOR preface

Origin of preface

synonym study for preface

OTHER WORDS FROM preface

Words related to preface

How to use preface in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for preface

Derived forms of preface

Word Origin for preface