Synonyms for preface
- noun
- verb
Most common
Definitions
- n. 1
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.
Holonyms: front matter, prelims
- v. 1
To introduce or make a comment before (the main point); to premise.
Let me preface this by saying that I don't know him that well.
Example sentences
- introduction This textbook is a good introduction to Esperanto.
- prologue A book without a prologue is like a body without a soul.
- foreword This dictionary has a preface, not a foreword.
- preamble I'll plunge into the matter without further preamble.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| preface | steady | |
| introduction | steady | |
| prologue | rising | |
| foreword | steady | |
| preamble | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- proem, exord
- 6 letters
- prefix2, prolog2
- 7 letters
- premise2, prelude2, precede2, isagoge
- 8 letters
- prologue2, foreword2, preamble3, exordium
- 9 letters
- introduce3, prolusion
- 11 letters
- preliminary5
- 12 letters
- introduction4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (prefix2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- préface
- Italiano
- prefazione
- Español
- prólogo
- Deutsch
- Vorwort