preface

CEFRB2

/ˈpɹɛfəs/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    An introduction at the beginning of a book or speech.

  2. 02

    verb

    To introduce something with an explanation.

Examples

  • This dictionary has a preface, not a foreword.

  • How does the preface run?

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
4

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A variable prayer forming the prelude or introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer or canon of the Mass, following the Sursum corda dialogue and leading into the Sanctus.

  2. An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.

  3. A beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book, typically serving to contextualize or explain the writing of the book and sometimes to acknowledge others' contributions; especially, such a discussion written by the work's own author.

More examples

In context

  • The book included a brief preface explaining the author's motivations for writing.

  • Holonyms: front matter, prelims

  • Meronyms: protocol, embolism, eschatocol

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The author wrote a short blank to explain why he wrote the book.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

Late 14th century, from Middle English preface, prefas, from Old French preface (from which derives the modern French préface), from Medieval Latin prefātia, for classical Latin praefātiō (“a saying beforehand”), from praefor (“to speak beforehand”), from prae- (“beforehand”) + for (“to speak”).