preliminary

²preliminary

adj

Definition of PRELIMINARY

: coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else <preliminary studies> <preliminary results>

— pre·lim·i·nar·i·ly \-ˌli-mə-ˈner-ə-lē\ adverb

Examples of PRELIMINARY

1. Preliminary findings show that the drug could help patients with skin cancer.
2. The team was eliminated in the preliminary round of the tournament.
3. research that is preliminary to the study

First Known Use of PRELIMINARY

circa 1667

Related to PRELIMINARY

Synonyms: beginning, introductory, precursory, prefatory, prelim, prelusive, preparative, preparatory, primary

Related Words: introducing, prefacing, preparing, readying; premonitory, warning; basic, elementary, fundamental; ahead, early, former, preceding, previous, prior

Near Antonyms: after, behind, following, subsequent

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