Prelude
noun
An action or event that comes before and shows or suggests what will happen in the future.
The financial troubles were a prelude to the company's bankruptcy
Often appears as...
- prelude to disaster
- prelude to war
noun
A short piece of music that introduces a longer piece or a main performance.
The orchestra began with a prelude before the main symphony
Often appears as...
- musical prelude
- symphonic prelude
Usage tips
Technical
noun
An action or event that comes before and shows or suggests what will happen in the future.
The financial troubles were a prelude to the company's bankruptcy
Often appears as...
- prelude to disaster
- prelude to war
noun
A short piece of music that introduces a longer piece or a main performance.
The orchestra began with a prelude before the main symphony
Often appears as...
- musical prelude
- symphonic prelude
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Future Indication
Prelude often indicates a sign or occurrence suggesting something is about to happen.
Dark clouds were the prelude to the impending storm.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal to Figurative
Prelude can be used both in tangible events and abstract concepts.
The debate was but a prelude to a broader discussion.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Overtone
It often carries a negative connotation, implying an undesirable outcome.
Their argument was a prelude to a more serious conflict.
Pro Tip 1/3Future Indication
Prelude often indicates a sign or occurrence suggesting something is about to happen.
Dark clouds were the prelude to the impending storm.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal to Figurative
Prelude can be used both in tangible events and abstract concepts.
The debate was but a prelude to a broader discussion.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Overtone
It often carries a negative connotation, implying an undesirable outcome.
Their argument was a prelude to a more serious conflict.
Pro Tip 1/3Future Indication
Prelude often indicates a sign or occurrence suggesting something is about to happen.
Dark clouds were the prelude to the impending storm.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal to Figurative
Prelude can be used both in tangible events and abstract concepts.
The debate was but a prelude to a broader discussion.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Overtone
It often carries a negative connotation, implying an undesirable outcome.
Their argument was a prelude to a more serious conflict.
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Video examples
Stuart Firestein: The...
is the prelude to every real advance in science." I think it's a wonderful thoroughly conscious ignorance. So that's the kind of ignorance that I want to talk about today, but of course the first thing we have to clear up is what are we going to do with all those facts? So it is true that science piles up at an alarming rate.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 12 PIPE...
Lions got hold of a wild dog pup dreadful dreadful stuff so they do take their toll on the cane it's out here right now either this is it prelude to more mating or perhaps it'll be a prelude to hunting we're just putting on the infrared now it's getting of a doc
Video examples
Wild Leaps Of Faith PIPE...
remains the rest are exploring the world outside branch hopping is an essential prelude to flying so is the ability to climb if you fall out of your tree and young tawny isles are experts at both
Video examples
Stuart Firestein: The...
is the prelude to every real advance in science." I think it's a wonderful thoroughly conscious ignorance. So that's the kind of ignorance that I want to talk about today, but of course the first thing we have to clear up is what are we going to do with all those facts? So it is true that science piles up at an alarming rate.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 12 PIPE...
Lions got hold of a wild dog pup dreadful dreadful stuff so they do take their toll on the cane it's out here right now either this is it prelude to more mating or perhaps it'll be a prelude to hunting we're just putting on the infrared now it's getting of a doc
Video examples
Wild Leaps Of Faith PIPE...
remains the rest are exploring the world outside branch hopping is an essential prelude to flying so is the ability to climb if you fall out of your tree and young tawny isles are experts at both
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Timothy Geithner
American Public Servant
The world is likely to view any temporary extension of the income tax cuts for the top two percent as a prelude to a long-term or permanent extension, and that would hurt economic recovery as well by undermining confidence that we're prepared to make a commitment today to bring down our future deficits.
Quote examples
Robert Dallek
American Historian
As for Vietnam, what matters is that Kennedy successfully resisted pressure to send anything more than military advisers, a stance that was a likely prelude to complete withdrawal from the conflict. There is solid evidence of his eagerness to end America's military role in that country's civil war.
Quote examples
Ellie Kemper
American Actress
I always have ice cream in the house. I have a bowl of it, and then a bit more. One of the greatest pleasures in my life is going back and getting a second half-bowl. The first bowl is just the prelude.
Quote examples
Gyorgy Ligeti
Hungarian Composer
I was fifteen years old, and I hardly knew how to play a simple Bach prelude on the piano when I began to compose music, and at the most advanced level. I had never studied such things as harmony.
Quote examples
Julie Burchill
British Journalist
Make no mistake, most women are well aware that they've never had it so good; when they enter a spa or salon, it is purely a hair/nails thing, a prelude to an evening of guilt-free fun.
Quote examples
John Boyd Orr
Scottish Politician
It is said that those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad. It may well be that a war neurosis stirred up by propaganda of fear and hatred is the prelude to destruction.
Quote examples
Jonathan Sacks
British Clergyman
Freedom is not won by merely overthrowing a tyrannical ruler or an oppressive regime. That is usually only the prelude to a new tyranny, a new oppression.
Quote examples
John Hawkins
English Businessman
This kind of prelude was succeeded by the concerto itself which he executed with a degree of spirit and firmness that no one has ever pretended to equal.
Quote examples
Dennis Skinner
British Politician
Isn't it essential in any prelude to a war to be sure of your allies and be sure of your objectives?
Quote examples
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian Leader
Healthy discontent is the prelude to progress.
Quote examples
Timothy Geithner
American Public Servant
The world is likely to view any temporary extension of the income tax cuts for the top two percent as a prelude to a long-term or permanent extension, and that would hurt economic recovery as well by undermining confidence that we're prepared to make a commitment today to bring down our future deficits.
Quote examples
Robert Dallek
American Historian
As for Vietnam, what matters is that Kennedy successfully resisted pressure to send anything more than military advisers, a stance that was a likely prelude to complete withdrawal from the conflict. There is solid evidence of his eagerness to end America's military role in that country's civil war.
Quote examples
Ellie Kemper
American Actress
I always have ice cream in the house. I have a bowl of it, and then a bit more. One of the greatest pleasures in my life is going back and getting a second half-bowl. The first bowl is just the prelude.
Quote examples
Gyorgy Ligeti
Hungarian Composer
I was fifteen years old, and I hardly knew how to play a simple Bach prelude on the piano when I began to compose music, and at the most advanced level. I had never studied such things as harmony.
Quote examples
Julie Burchill
British Journalist
Make no mistake, most women are well aware that they've never had it so good; when they enter a spa or salon, it is purely a hair/nails thing, a prelude to an evening of guilt-free fun.
Quote examples
John Boyd Orr
Scottish Politician
It is said that those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad. It may well be that a war neurosis stirred up by propaganda of fear and hatred is the prelude to destruction.
Quote examples
Jonathan Sacks
British Clergyman
Freedom is not won by merely overthrowing a tyrannical ruler or an oppressive regime. That is usually only the prelude to a new tyranny, a new oppression.
Quote examples
John Hawkins
English Businessman
This kind of prelude was succeeded by the concerto itself which he executed with a degree of spirit and firmness that no one has ever pretended to equal.
Quote examples
Dennis Skinner
British Politician
Isn't it essential in any prelude to a war to be sure of your allies and be sure of your objectives?
Quote examples
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian Leader
Healthy discontent is the prelude to progress.
Example 1 of 10
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