preface

5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for preface, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — An introductory section at the start of a book, usually explaining its background or purpose.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

introduce

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

premise

Rare, literary or technical

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

precede foreword prolusion

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

An introductory section at the start of a book, usually explaining its background or purpose.

“In the preface, the author explains why she spent ten years researching the topic.”

introduce premise precede foreword prolusion

Opposites

postscript epilogue

2. verb

To introduce something with a few remarks beforehand.

“He prefaced his complaint by saying how much he usually loved the restaurant.”

introduce precede premise

How to use preface

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

preface a remark in the preface write a preface

Etymology

From Old French preface, from Medieval Latin prefatia, from classical Latin praefatio, \"a saying beforehand,\" from praefari, \"to speak in advance.\"

Full origin of preface →

Frequently asked questions

What does “preface” mean?

The word “preface” means an introductory section at the start of a book, usually explaining its background or purpose. In plain terms, an opening note before the main content, or the act of setting something up with a few words first.

How do you pronounce “preface”?

“Preface” is pronounced PREH-fuhs (/ˈpɹɛfəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “preface” in a sentence?

Here is “preface” used in a sentence: “In the preface, the author explains why she spent ten years researching the topic.”

What part of speech is “preface”?

Depending on how it is used, “preface” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “preface” come from?

The word “preface” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French preface, from Medieval Latin prefatia, from classical Latin praefatio, \"a saying beforehand,\" from praefari, \"to speak in advance.\".

Is “preface” a common word?

“Preface” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “preface” have?

“Preface” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an introductory section at the start of a book, usually explaining its background or purpose.

Related words

prefatory prelude

People also searched

introduce premise foreword prolusion postscript epilogue precede

Nearby words

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