precede
prih-SEED
Precede (verb) means to come before something else in time, order, or position. Example: “A round of introductions preceded the main presentation.”
verb
1
To come before something else in time, order, or position.
"A round of introductions preceded the main presentation."
"Dark clouds preceded the storm by about an hour."
How to use precede
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo happen or exist before something else.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "proceed," which means to continue or move forward — "precede" is about coming first, "proceed" is about carrying on.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- precedes
- Third person singular
- precedes
- Past tense
- preceded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A round of introductions _____ the main presentation.
Etymology
From Latin "praecedere," combining "prae-" ("before") and "cedere" ("to go") — literally "to go before."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for precede
See all rhymes for precede →Frequently asked questions
What does “precede” mean?
The word “precede” means to come before something else in time, order, or position. In plain terms, to happen or exist before something else.
How do you pronounce “precede”?
“Precede” is pronounced prih-SEED (/pɹɪˈsid/ in IPA).
How do you use “precede” in a sentence?
Here is “precede” used in a sentence: “A round of introductions preceded the main presentation.”
What is another word for “precede”?
Words with a similar meaning to “precede” include antecede and come before.
What is the opposite of “precede”?
The opposite of “precede” — its antonyms — is succeed.
What part of speech is “precede”?
“Precede” is a verb.
Where does the word “precede” come from?
The word “precede” comes from Latin. From Latin "praecedere," combining "prae-" ("before") and "cedere" ("to go") — literally "to go before.".
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