prequel

noun

pre·​quel ˈprē-kwəl 

: a work (such as a novel or a play) whose story precedes that of an earlier work

… the real payoff will be for the next Star Wars, an expected prequel to the previous three movies.

—Laurence Hooper

Examples of prequel in a Sentence

His next film will be a prequel to last year's hit movie.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bradley Cooper’s Ocean’s Eleven prequel, also starring Cooper himself, Margot Robbie, George MacKay, Wagner Moura, Monica Barbaro, Josh Gad and Omar Sy, has been a real shot of joy in the arm. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

The story is a prequel to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, which moviegoers know best from its 2005 film adaptation. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Is there a finer compliment for a film that spawned almost a dozen sequels, prequels, and spinoffs (as well as a Simpsons homage)? — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026

In syndication, the show continued its popularity, leading to prequels, sequels on TV and in film, video games, podcasts and fan fiction. — Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

pre- + -quel (as in sequel)

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prequel

• equal
• sequel
• coequal
• subequal
• unequal