prelude
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for prelude, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An event or action that comes before and introduces something bigger.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use prelude
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a prelude to
piano prelude
Etymology
From Middle French prélude, from Medieval Latin preludium, ultimately from Latin praeludere ("to play beforehand").
Full origin of prelude →Frequently asked questions
What does “prelude” mean?
The word “prelude” means an event or action that comes before and introduces something bigger. In plain terms, something that comes first and hints at, or leads into, what follows — used both for music and for events.
How do you pronounce “prelude”?
“Prelude” is pronounced PREHL-yood (/ˈpɹeɪl(j)uːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “prelude” in a sentence?
Here is “prelude” used in a sentence: “The border skirmishes turned out to be a prelude to full-scale war.”
What is another word for “prelude”?
Words with a similar meaning to “prelude” include forestory.
What part of speech is “prelude”?
“Prelude” is a noun.
Where does the word “prelude” come from?
The word “prelude” comes from Medieval Latin. From Middle French prélude, from Medieval Latin preludium, ultimately from Latin praeludere ("to play beforehand").
Is “prelude” a common word?
“Prelude” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “prelude” have?
“Prelude” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an event or action that comes before and introduces something bigger.
