preface

[ pref-is ]

noun

1. a preliminary statement in a book by the book's author or editor, setting forth its purpose and scope, expressing acknowledgment of assistance from others, etc.

   Antonyms: appendix

2. an introductory part, as of a speech.

   Synonyms: prologue, preamble

   Antonyms: epilogue

3. something preliminary or introductory:

   The meeting was the preface to an alliance.

   Synonyms: prologue, preamble

   Antonyms: epilogue

4. Ecclesiastical. a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.

verb (used with object)

, pref·aced, pref·ac·ing.

1. to provide with or introduce by a preface.
2. to serve as a preface to.

preface

/ ˈprɛfɪs /

noun

1. a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword
2. anything introductory
3. RC Church a prayer of thanksgiving and exhortation serving as an introduction to the canon of the Mass

verb

1. to furnish with a preface
2. to serve as a preface to

Derived Forms

• ˈprefacer, noun

Other Words From

• prefac·er noun
• un·prefaced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preface¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin prēfātia, for Latin praefātiō “a saying beforehand,” equivalent to praefāt(us) (past participle of praefārī “to say beforehand”; pre-, fate ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of preface¹

C14: from Medieval Latin praefātia, from Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, from praefārī to utter in advance, from prae before + fārī to say

Synonym Study

See introduction.

Example Sentences

Coote used Klopp’s German nationality to preface one of his comments and FA rules state nationality is one of the references that can lead to an aggravated breach of its rules.

From BBC

She prefaced the show by warning us that things would get scary but that she’d keep it funny, and that was a promise Griffin never went back on.

From Salon

Questions about Ten Hag’s future were deliberately prefaced with "even if you were to lose heavily today", which is exactly what happened.

From BBC

Schiff had prefaced his remarks by saying they represented “in not so many words” the “essence of” what Trump had said.

From Los Angeles Times

The action is prefaced by a Looney Tunes-ish cartoon entitled “Me and My Shadow,” depicting Arthur bedeviled by his own shadow, which is more powerful than he is.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• foreword
• preamble
• prologue