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
… 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
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.
The film, the second part of 2024's Wicked, is an adaptation of the long-running Broadway show of the same name, which is a musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025 Francis Lawrence, who began directing the Hunger Games movies starting with the second title, 2013’s Catching Fire, and has continued through to the Mockingjay movies (2014 and 2015) and the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), returns to helm Sunrise of the Reaping. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2025 The popularity of the pop-up leaves something to be desired, but serves as a prequel to the future of venues. Olivia Reid, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025 Who is playing Lenore Dove Baird in the 'Hunger Games' prequel? Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prequel

Word History

Etymology

pre- + -quel (as in sequel)

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prequel was in 1922

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Cite this Entry

“Prequel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prequel. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.

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