preview

[ pree-vyoo ]

noun

1. an earlier or previous view.
2. an advance showing of a motion picture, play, etc., before its public opening.
3. an advance showing of brief scenes in a motion picture, television show, etc., for purposes of advertisement.
4. anything that gives an advance idea or impression of something to come.

verb (used with object)

1. to view or show beforehand or in advance.

preview

/ ˈpriːvjuː /

noun

1. an advance or preliminary view or sight
2. an advance showing before public presentation of a film, art exhibition, etc, usually before an invited audience of celebrities and journalists
3. a public performance of a play before the official first night

verb

1. tr to view in advance

Other Words From

• un·previewed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preview¹

First recorded in 1600–10; 1920–25 preview fordef 2; pre- + view

Example Sentences

If you have access to Unreal Engine software, you can check out a preview of two fully finished MetaHumans right now by downloading the files from the Unreal Engine site.

From Popular-Science

Now, Google has quietly started rolling out its new Green Room feature, which allows users to get a clear preview of how they will look and sound before the call gets underway.

From Popular-Science

In his role as the Blade’s film and TV critic Carney wrote reviews, previews and interviews about movie releases and regional film festivals.

From Washington Blade

Right before Ronan was diagnosed, his father and I went to a movie, and there was a preview for the movie Rabbit Hole about people who lose their child.

From Time

These are pre-pandemic questions to give us a preview of post-pandemic life.

From Washington Post

One, from a short preview of her rehearsal performance, is that Williams certainly boasts the vocal chops to do the part justice.

From The Daily Beast

As a preview, Sony unveiled “Almost Like the Blues,” which went viral on YouTube.

From The Daily Beast

When filming finally ended and I eventually saw an early preview of the film, it was stranger still.

From The Daily Beast

Like so many others in the nerd world, I fell in love with Cards Against Humanity through its Kickstarter preview in 2011.

From The Daily Beast

And then Michael came to our third preview and I thought, ‘I’m a terrible person!

From The Daily Beast

He looked like a man who had lately had a preview of Hell's inverted pleasures.

From Project Gutenberg

She recalled all that now as she sat in the little theatre waiting for the preview of her picture to begin.

From Project Gutenberg

Because of such a plan the matters of review and preview take on vital significance.

From Project Gutenberg

His nightmares ran twice: once just before bed, in clairvoyant preview, and again in the depths of REM sleep.

From Project Gutenberg

Important as is the review, the preview or assignment is equally vital.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• examination
• viewing