intro

¹ American  

[in-troh] / ˈɪn troʊ /

noun

Informal.

plural

intros

1. an introduction.

2. the introductory passage of a piece for a jazz or dance band.

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intro- ² American  

1. a prefix, meaning “inwardly,” “within,” occurring in loanwords from Latin (introspection ); occasionally used in the formation of new words (introjection ).

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intro. ³ American  

Or introd

abbreviation

1. introduce.

2. introduced.

3. introducing.

4. introduction.

5. introductory.

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intro. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. introduction

2. introductory

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intro ² British  

/ ˈɪntrəʊ /

noun

1. informal short for introduction

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intro- ³ British  

prefix

1. in, into, or inward

   introvert

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Etymology

Origin of intro¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; shortening of introduction

Origin of intro-²

< Latin, representing intrō (adv.) inwardly, within

Explanation

An intro is the opening section of a piece of music, usually before the singing begins. Often when you hear a pop song's intro, it's so familiar that you'll recognize it immediately. There are intros in popular music, as well as other musical styles, and a book or essay can have an intro as well, a few paragraphs or pages setting up the ideas to follow. Another kind of intro is when you formally present, or introduce, a person to a group or an individual. In fact, intro is a casual shorthand for introduction, from the Latin introductionem, "a leading in."

Example Sentences

After Carpenter finished a rendition of Juno, Madonna emerged while the intro of Vogue played out and dancers struck a pose.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

“So a guy that I matched with two months ago just messaged me asking if I’m still making sourdough bread,” Chilcott said in the intro.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

A 45-minute episode shot in Ireland explores the history of Saint Patrick, “a mixture of fact and legend,” Scorsese says in his intro.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

As her band vamped on the intro to her song “Hot to Go!” on Friday night, Roan surveyed the tens of thousands spread across the leafy grounds surrounding the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2025

I pause and rewind to the beginning, turning the iPad to myself The intro blares out again, a mix of drumming and a man’s deep voice saying something in Arabic.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

Related Words

• addition
• debut
• establishment
• inauguration
• influx
• initiation
• installation
• launch
• opening
• preface
• presentation