preview

Also pre·vue

[pree-vyoo]

noun

1. an earlier or previous view.

2. an advance showing of a motion picture, play, etc., before its public opening.

3. an advance showing of brief scenes in a motion picture, television show, etc., for purposes of advertisement.

4. anything that gives an advance idea or impression of something to come.

verb (used with object)

1. to view or show beforehand or in advance.

preview

/ ˈpriːvjuː /

noun

1. an advance or preliminary view or sight

2. an advance showing before public presentation of a film, art exhibition, etc, usually before an invited audience of celebrities and journalists

3. a public performance of a play before the official first night

verb

1. (tr) to view in advance

Other Word Forms

• unpreviewed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preview¹

First recorded in 1600–10; 1920–25 preview for def. 2; pre- + view

Example Sentences

Critics were given seven episodes to preview out of the first season’s nine installments, enough to confirm that any emerging theories about its meaning can only be half-baked.

Read more on Salon

“Opus 4.5 is a step forward in what AI systems can do, and a preview of larger changes to how work gets done,” Anthropic said.

Read more on Barron's

Something incredible happens in the five-minute preview of the “Stranger Things” finale season — maybe not by the standards of modern technology, granted, but watch and you’ll notice right away what I’m referring to.

Read more on Salon

The house also sent the piece on an international preview tour to potential bidders in London, Paris, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Our holiday preview has everything you need, no shopping, mailing, inviting or cooking required.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• examination 
• viewing