preface

American  

[pref-is] / ˈprɛf ɪs /

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.

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verb (used with object)

prefaced, prefacing

1. to provide with or introduce by a preface.

2. to serve as a preface to.

preface British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to furnish with a preface

2. to serve as a preface to

Related Words

See introduction.

Other Word Forms

• prefacer noun
• unprefaced adjective

Etymology

Origin of preface

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”; see pre-, fate) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A preface is an introduction to the main text of a book, when an author or critic can write directly to the reader. A preface often describes how a book came together, like a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the final product. The preface is a place for extra context, thoughts, or even disclaimers about the text that follows. In his preface to Lyrical Ballads, the famous poet William Wordsworth wrote, “The majority of the following poems are to be considered as experiments.” In other words, “Don’t judge me too harshly!” Preface can also be used as a verb meaning "introduce." When you preface a statement with, “No offense but... ,” the person you’re talking to braces for criticism.

Example Sentences

This preface, which harks back to “Richard II” and “Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2” in addition to the three parts of “Henry VI” that immediately precede “Richard III,” crowds an already crowded plot.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

As climate scientist Kevin Trenberth noted in the preface, the collection is designed as an ongoing effort that reflects the evolving nature of climate science.

From Science Daily • Jan. 14, 2026

In a preface, the film director Guillermo del Toro likens this collection to early modern cabinets of curiosities, whose juxtapositions of natural and artificial objects were meant to expose a hidden order of existence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

But this exhibitionistic Oedipus is the star of the show’s unnecessary preface, a belabored warmup act that should have been cut in rehearsals.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Even Sebond’s work had fallen foul of the censors, not for its basic thrust, but for the extravagant claims made on behalf of it by Sebond in his preface.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• foreword
• preamble
• prologue