noun
Uncommon
prelude
PREHL-yood
Prelude (noun) means an event or action that comes before and introduces something bigger. Example: “The border skirmishes turned out to be a prelude to full-scale war.”
noun
1
An event or action that comes before and introduces something bigger.
"The border skirmishes turned out to be a prelude to full-scale war."
"Their quiet argument was a prelude to a much bigger falling-out."
2
A short piece of music that introduces a longer work, or stands on its own.
"She played a Chopin prelude before the main recital."
How to use prelude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that comes first and hints at, or leads into, what follows — used both for music and for events.
Common pairings
a prelude to
piano prelude
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Word forms
- Plural
- preludes
- Third person singular
- preludes
- Past tense
- preluded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The border skirmishes turned out to be a _____ to full-scale war.
Etymology
From Middle French prélude, from Medieval Latin preludium, ultimately from Latin praeludere ("to play beforehand").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for prelude
See all rhymes for 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.
