prologue

American  

[proh-lawg, -log] / ˈproʊ lɔg, -lɒg /

Or prolog

noun

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

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

Etymology

Origin of prologue

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

Suspense is useful as prologue, but it amounts to a broken promise if there isn’t a satisfying explanation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

He mentioned another guy, who is now in my prologue, Georg Ritter von Schönerer, a Viennese aristocrat who was inspirational to Hitler at a given moment in Hitler’s youth.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

UK road champion Sam Watson won the opening prologue of the race for Ineos Grenadiers.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

But if past is prologue, investors, at least, could come out ahead.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

High school was just a prologue to the real novel.

From "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Related Words

• foreword
• prelude