prelude

American  

[prel-yood, preyl-, prey-lood, pree-] / ˈprɛl jud, ˈpreɪl-, ˈpreɪ lud, ˈpri- /

noun

preludes plural

1. a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance.

   Synonyms:

   beginning, opening, introduction

2. any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes something else.

3. Music.

   1. a relatively short, independent instrumental composition, free in form and resembling an improvisation.

   2. a piece that precedes a more important movement.

   3. the overture to an opera.

   4. an independent piece, of moderate length, sometimes used as an introduction to a fugue.

   5. music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.

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verb (used with object)

preludes, present (3rd person singular) preluded, past participle, past preluding present participle

1. to serve as a prelude or introduction to.

2. to introduce by a prelude.

3. to play as a prelude.

verb (used without object)

preludes, present (3rd person singular) preluded, past participle, past preluding present participle

1. to serve as a prelude.

2. to give a prelude.

3. to play a prelude.

prelude British  

/ prɪˈljuːsərɪ, prɪˈljuːʒən, prɪˈljuːsɪv, ˈprɛljuːd, prɪˈljuːdə, ˈprɛljʊdə /

noun

1. 1. a piece of music that precedes a fugue, or forms the first movement of a suite, or an introduction to an act in an opera, etc

   2. (esp for piano) a self-contained piece of music

2. something serving as an introduction or preceding event, occurrence, etc

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verb

1. to serve as a prelude to (something)

2. (tr) to introduce by a prelude

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preluder
  noun
• prelusion
  noun
• preludial
  adjective
• preludious
  adjective
• prelusive
  adjective
• unpreluded
  adjective
• preludiously
  adverb
• prelusively
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• preludes
  plural

Participles

• preluding
  present
• preluded
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• prelude
  simple
• preludes
  simple
• have preluded
  perfect
• has preluded
  perfect
• are preluding
  progressive
• am preluding
  progressive
• is preluding
  progressive
• have been preluding
  perfect progressive
• has been preluding
  perfect progressive

Past

• preluded
  simple
• had preluded
  perfect
• was preluding
  progressive
• were preluding
  progressive
• had been preluding
  perfect progressive

Future

• will prelude
  simple
• will have preluded
  perfect
• will be preluding
  progressive
• will have been preluding
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of prelude

1555–65; (noun) < Medieval Latin praelūdium, equivalent to prae- pre- + -lūdium play; compare Latin lūdus play; (v.) < Latin praelūdere to play beforehand

Explanation

A prelude is an introductory action, event, or performance that comes before a bigger or more momentous one. It is made of up the prefix pre- meaning "before," and the Latin root ludere meaning "play." Speakers of old school French and Latin understood a prelude to be the notes that they would play or sing to warm up or test an instrument. Today preludes are more like introductions than practice, but you can still think of them as small warm ups to the main events. Preludes are often used in classical music, as well as in novels, to set the tone for the rest of the orchestral piece or story.

Example Sentences

Among the recordings was a version of Chopin's Prelude in F Major, a tribute to her Polish roots, which became one of her personal favourites.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

“A Prelude to Immortality” is best enjoyed by Churchill aficionados looking for a swim in the pool’s deep end.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

In this and other ways the new Prelude does not, and cannot, offer buyers the same kind of passionately bonded relationship as the old cars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

“You might call it a Metaphysical Spoof With Acrobatic Prelude, or you might not. The only general thing you can say about it is that it’s very bright and very funny, and sometimes rather touching.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2025

The Personal Element and the Metronome In Chopin's Prelude No. 15 is the movement in C-sharp minor to be played in the same tempo as the opening movements, or much faster?

From Piano Playing: With Piano Questions Answered by Hofmann, Josef

Related Words

• introduction
• prologue