prequel

noun

pre·​quel ˈprē-kwəl How to pronounce prequel (audio)
: a work (such as a novel or a play) whose story precedes that of an earlier work

Examples of prequel in a Sentence

His next film will be a prequel to last year's hit movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the subsequent prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin, revealed that Dexter didn’t actually die. EW.com, 10 July 2025 Next up was the sequel series Dexter: New Blood, which ran from 2021 to 22 that was followed by the prequel series Dexter: First Blood in 2024. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 Davis joined the cast of the hit HBO Game of Thrones prequel in 2024 during the second season as Leon Estermont, a member of King Aegon's (Tom Glynn-Carney) Kingsguard. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 10 July 2025 Johnny Depp is recalling the moment he was asked to step down from his role in the Harry Potter prequel series Fantastic Beasts amid personal turmoil. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for prequel

Word History

Etymology

pre- + -quel (as in sequel)

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prequel was in 1958

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prequel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prequel. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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