pre-order

5 synonyms for pre-order, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To order and often pay for a product before it has been released, so that it is sent or made available as soon as it comes out.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

reserve book

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

reservation

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

order in advance advance order

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To order and often pay for a product before it has been released, so that it is sent or made available as soon as it comes out.

“I pre-ordered the album months before the release date.”

reserve book order in advance

2. noun

An order placed for a product that is not yet on sale, or the copy or unit reserved by such an order.

“Pre-orders opened at midnight and sold out by breakfast.”

advance order reservation

How to use pre-order

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

pre-order now pre-order bonus cancel a pre-order pre-order sales open for pre-order

Neutral commercial English; usually hyphenated in British writing and often written preorder in American writing.

Etymology

From the prefix pre-, from Latin prae meaning 'before', plus order, from Old French ordre and Latin ordo.

Full origin of pre-order →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a pre-order and a backorder?

A pre-order is placed before an item has been released at all, so nobody has it yet. A backorder is placed for an item that is already on sale but temporarily out of stock. Both mean waiting, but only a backorder implies the seller has run out.

When are you charged for a pre-order?

It varies by retailer. Large stores such as Amazon usually take payment when the item ships, while smaller shops, ticketed items and limited editions often charge at the point of ordering to secure the stock. The confirmation email should say which applies.

Can you cancel a pre-order?

Usually yes, right up until it ships, since nothing has been dispatched and often nothing has been charged. Exceptions are limited-run or personalised items, where the seller may state that pre-orders are final once placed.

People also searched

book reserve reservation

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of pre-order