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

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

Amy Madigan would go on to win the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of Aunt Gladys, with a prequel now in the works. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

And in the near future, Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper will headline a brand-new prequel in the suddenly sprawling Ocean’s franchise. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

Working titled Jaq, the show will shoot next year and is part of a wider expansion of the Top Boy universe, with Barry Keoghan returning as Irish mobster Jonny McGee in prequel Jonny Boy. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 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