prologue

American  

[proh-lawg, -log] / ˈproʊ lɔg, -lɒg /

Or prolog

noun

prologues plural

1. a preliminary discourse; a preface or introductory part of a discourse, poem, or novel.

2. an introductory speech, often in verse, calling attention to the theme of a play.

3. the actor or actress who delivers the introductory speech that calls attention to the theme of a play.

4. an introductory scene, preceding the first act of a play, opera, etc.

5. any introductory proceeding, event, etc..

   Appetizing delicacies were the prologue to a long dinner.

   Synonyms:

   prelude, opening, beginning, preamble

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verb (used with object)

prologued, prologuing

1. to introduce with or as if with a prologue.

prologue British  

/ ˈprəʊlɒɡ /

noun

1. 1. the prefatory lines introducing a play or speech

   2. the actor speaking these lines

2. a preliminary act or event

3. 1. an introductory scene in which a narrator summarizes the main action of the work

   2. a brief independent play preceding the opera, esp one in honour of a patron

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verb

1. (tr) to introduce or preface with or as if with a prologue

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prologist
  noun
• prologuist
  noun
• prologlike
  adjective
• prologuelike
  adjective
• unprologued
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• prologues
  plural

Etymology

Origin of prologue

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English prolog(e), prologue, from Old French prologue and Latin prologus, from Greek prólogos; see pro- ², -logue

Explanation

With the lines, "Two households, both alike in dignity," Shakespeare begins the prologue to Romeo and Juliet, setting up the idea of two families who hate each other before introducing the lovers in the opening scene. Like its buddy epilogue, which tells you what happens after the end of a story, a prologue is concerned with setup of a story. "As a prologue to what happened in the gym, I'll tell you about the food fight in the cafeteria earlier that day."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prologue prologues prologued

“It’s Florida, Man,” HBO Max “What you’re about to see may be dangerous, illegal, unethical, petty, misguided, immoral and most definitely stupid,” a prologue warns at the top of each episode.

From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2026

"Persistently high prices are a burden for the American people, but the recent past need not be prologue," he said after the meeting at which he also wanted wide-ranging reforms at the bank.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

So much for “two households, both alike in dignity,” the first words from the prologue, here sung by Francis Jue as Friar Lawrence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

But if past is prologue, the courts won’t willingly implement reform.

From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026

The past may be prologue, but it’s with me, every day.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

In the show’s second season, episode prologues that tell characters’ back stories function as short films of their own, with distinct tones and time frames.

From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2022

But these are just prologues to be forgotten as the routine that makes sitcoms feel like life takes over.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2021

Similar notes often appear in the prologues of scientific innovation or inventor profiles, interestingly enough.

From Salon ● May 15, 2019

In it, Leonard warned writers to avoid such flourishes as prologues, adverbs and overwrought descriptions and to keep their exclamation points under control.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 15, 2014

Her prologue is half a dozen tales in itself, longer almost, and certainly wittier, than all the other prologues put together.

From Chaucer and His England by Coulton, G. G.

This was one of three events that probably clouded the sunlit hours of the early comedies and prologued the dark vision of the great tragedies.

From Time Magazine Archive

No wonder he prologued his piping after the following dismal fashion:—   "In dreary verse my rhymes I make,   Bewailing whilst such theme I take."

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 15, January, 1859 by Various

"If I fail," and Warren was dumbfounded, even after the unreal scenes which had prologued this situation.

From The Ghost Breaker A Novel Based Upon the Play by Goddard, Charles

Related Words

• foreword
• prelude