prefacenoun [ C ]
uk/ˈpref.ɪs/us/ˈpref.ɪs/an introduction at the beginning of a book explaining its purpose, thanking people who helped the author, etc.:
In his preface, the author says that he took eight years to write the book.
a preface to sth
an event that comes before something more important:
We're hoping these talks could be a preface to peace.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Books & parts of books
- addendum
- artwork
- bibliography
- binder
- binding
- blurb
- chapter
- errata
- erratum
- extract
- flyleaf
- folio
- foreword
- jacket
- library
- margin
- monograph
- prologue
- serial
- table
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Beginnings and starts
prefaceverb [ T ]
uk/ˈpref.ɪs/us/ˈpref.ɪs/formalIf you preface your words or actions with something else, you say or do this other thing first:
Each work is prefaced by a descriptive note and concludes with an author's note.
I should like to preface my response with the following observation.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Preceding and introducing
- announce
- antedate
- beat
- build-up
- countdown
- curtain-raiser
- emcee
- forerunner
- introduce
- introduction
- introductory
- lead 1
- lead up to sth
- lead-in
- preamble
- predate 1
- predecessor
- preliminary
- prelude
- usher
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