prequel

[ pree-kwuhl ]

noun

1. a literary, dramatic, or filmic work that prefigures a later work, as by portraying the same characters at a younger age.

prequel

/ ˈpriːkwəl /

noun

1. a film or book about an earlier stage of a story or a character's life, released because the later part of it has already been successful

Word History and Origins

Origin of prequel¹

First recorded in 1970–75; pre- + (se)quel

Word History and Origins

Origin of prequel¹

C20: from pre- + ( se ) quel

Example Sentences

The film sees Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford, imprisoned in the carbon chamber after he was frozen by Darth Vader in 1980's prequel The Empire Strikes Back, which is classified as PG, to test whether the process will safely capture Jedi Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill.

From BBC

Olivia Williams is quick to admit that she was largely unfamiliar with the world of “Dune” before being cast in “Dune: Prophecy,” an HBO prequel series to Denis Villeneuve’s blockbuster films.

From Los Angeles Times

It earned 59 Emmy Awards during its run and has yielded several spinoff projects, including the prequel series “The House of the Dragon.”

From Los Angeles Times

What happens in the planned five seasons of the prequel series will lay the groundwork for who Gandalf becomes when he is better known as Gandalf the Grey.

From Los Angeles Times

We weren’t going to let a few thousand miles keep us from watching the Amazon prequel together.

From Los Angeles Times