introductory

[ in-truh-duhk-tuh-ree ]

adjective

1. serving or used to introduce; preliminary; beginning:

   an introductory course; an introductory paragraph.

introductory

/ ˌɪntrəˈdʌktərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. serving as an introduction; preliminary; prefatory

Derived Forms

• ˌintroˈductorily, adverb
• ˌintroˈductoriness, noun

Other Words From

• intro·ducto·ri·ly adverb
• intro·ducto·ri·ness noun
• subin·tro·ductive adjective
• subin·tro·ducto·ry adjective
• unin·tro·ductive adjective
• unin·tro·ducto·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of introductory¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin intrōductōrius, equivalent to Latin intrōduc-, variant stem of intrōdūcere ( introduce ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Synonym Study

See preliminary.

Example Sentences

“Say Nothing” begins in a state of knotted tension: an introductory voiceover by Lola Petticrew’s resolute Dolours Price lets us know we’re walking in on a fight between the British and the Irish, “the same old s**te,” that’s spanned 800 years.

From Salon

“I finally got you,” Robinson announced at Dickerson’s introductory news conference.

From Los Angeles Times

On his Candyman character, he told the same interview: "I’ve done 200 movies, this is the one that stays in people’s minds. It affects people of all races. I’ve used it as an introductory tool in gang-intervention work: what frightens you? What horrible things have you experienced?"

From BBC

“We know nothing in life is free and neither was this veto,” said an introductory post in a WhatsApp message group called Save Florida Hemp.

From Slate

“They said when they look back at the last 10 years, even though they’ve made the playoffs every single year, and won a World Series ring, they consider that a failure,” Ohtani later recounted at his introductory Dodgers news conference.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inaugural
• preparatory