adjective
Common
preceding
prih-SEE-dihng
Preceding (adjective) means coming right before something else in time, order, or position. Example: “Please read the preceding chapter before you start on this one.”
adjective
1
Coming right before something else in time, order, or position.
"Please read the preceding chapter before you start on this one."
"Turn to the preceding page to see the full diagram."
"The preceding week had been unusually stressful for the whole team."
"On the preceding Monday Shobana had gone on vacation."
How to use preceding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhatever came just before — the thing, event, or section right ahead of the one being discussed.
Common pairings
the preceding chapter
the preceding year
in the preceding paragraph
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Etymology
From the Latin-derived verb precede (\"to go before\"), plus the -ing ending.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for preceding
needing
feeding
weeding
seeding
bleeding
breeding
speeding
receding
exceeding
proceeding
succeeding
inbreeding
See all rhymes for preceding →
Frequently asked questions
What does “preceding” mean?
The word “preceding” means coming right before something else in time, order, or position. In plain terms, whatever came just before — the thing, event, or section right ahead of the one being discussed.
How do you pronounce “preceding”?
“Preceding” is pronounced prih-SEE-dihng (/pɹɪˈsiːdɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “preceding” in a sentence?
Here is “preceding” used in a sentence: “Turn to the preceding page to see the full diagram.”
What is the opposite of “preceding”?
The opposite of “preceding” — its antonyms — is succeeding.
What part of speech is “preceding”?
“Preceding” is an adjective.
Where does the word “preceding” come from?
The word “preceding” comes from Latin. From the Latin-derived verb precede (\"to go before\"), plus the -ing ending.
Is “preceding” a common word?
“Preceding” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between preceding and previous?
Preceding and previous both describe something that comes before, but preceding is often used in more formal or written contexts, such as 'the preceding paragraph,' while previous is more common in everyday speech, as in 'the previous day.' They are largely interchangeable in meaning.
What is the difference between preceding and following?
Preceding refers to what comes right before something in time, order, or position, while following refers to what comes right after. They are direct opposites often used together to reference nearby sections in a document, such as 'the preceding and following chapters.'
How is preceding commonly used in formal writing?
Preceding is frequently used in formal, legal, and academic writing to refer back to something already mentioned, such as 'the preceding section' or 'the preceding argument,' helping readers locate related content without repeating it.
