preface

1 of 2

noun

pref·​ace ˈpre-fəs 

1

often capitalized : a variable doxology beginning with the Sursum Corda and ending with the Sanctus in traditional eucharistic liturgies

2

: the introductory remarks of a speaker or author

3

: approach, preliminary

preface

2 of 2

verb

prefaced; prefacing

intransitive verb

: to make introductory remarks

transitive verb

1

: to say or write as preface

a note prefaced to the manuscript

2

: precede, herald

3

: to introduce by or begin with a preface

4

: to stand in front of

a porch prefaces the entrance

5

: to be a preliminary to

prefacer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• exordium
• foreword
• intro
• introduction
• preamble
• prelude
• proem
• prologue
• prolog
• prolusion

Examples of preface in a Sentence

Noun

The book's preface was written by the author.

a noted critic has written a short preface to her story to explain some of the historical background

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In her preface to a reissued edition of the novel, Segal remembers being housed in a camp during a frigid English winter. —Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024

The reissue contains a new preface by Benjamin Moser, the biographer of Susan Sontag, one of Hujar’s dear friends, who wrote the introduction to the first edition, and also appears in an iconic picture therein, recumbent with upraised arms folded to cradle her head. —Jackson Davidow, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019

Verb

Probably the meal that affected me the most was Corey Lee’s Benu, which prefaced the rise in modern Korean fine dining in the United States. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024

Others are less severe albeit more frequent, like my weekly tension headaches, most likely from stress, and the monthly migraines that politely preface my period. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin prephatia, alteration of Latin praefation-, praefatio foreword, from praefari to say beforehand, from prae- pre- + fari to say — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1619, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

preface

1 of 2 noun

pref·​ace ˈpref-əs 

: a section that introduces a book or a speech

preface

2 of 2 verb

prefaced; prefacing

: to introduce by or begin with a preface

prefaced the talk with a funny story