Prologue
noun
The part at the beginning of a book, play, or speech, which gives an idea about what will follow.
The author used a prologue to set the scene for the novel.
Often appears as...
- write a prologue
- read the prologue
Usage tips
Literary
noun
An event or action that leads to another one.
Their short-lived peace was merely the prologue to another war.
Often appears as...
- prologue to disaster
- prologue to controversy
Usage tips
Formal, Neutral
noun
The part at the beginning of a book, play, or speech, which gives an idea about what will follow.
The author used a prologue to set the scene for the novel.
Often appears as...
- write a prologue
- read the prologue
Usage tips
Literary
noun
An event or action that leads to another one.
Their short-lived peace was merely the prologue to another war.
Often appears as...
- prologue to disaster
- prologue to controversy
Usage tips
Formal, Neutral
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Literary Opening
A prologue in literature introduces the theme or sets the stage for the story to come.
The prologue began with a powerful storm that foreshadowed the novel's tumultuous events.
Pro Tip 2/3Scene Setting
A book's prologue is often used to provide background information that is crucial to the plot.
In the prologue, the author described the medieval town in vivid detail.
Pro Tip 3/3Speaker's Introduction
In speeches, a prologue may serve to introduce the main topics before presenting arguments.
The speaker's prologue addressed the key points he would later expand upon.
Pro Tip 1/3Literary Opening
A prologue in literature introduces the theme or sets the stage for the story to come.
The prologue began with a powerful storm that foreshadowed the novel's tumultuous events.
Pro Tip 2/3Scene Setting
A book's prologue is often used to provide background information that is crucial to the plot.
In the prologue, the author described the medieval town in vivid detail.
Pro Tip 3/3Speaker's Introduction
In speeches, a prologue may serve to introduce the main topics before presenting arguments.
The speaker's prologue addressed the key points he would later expand upon.
Pro Tip 1/3Literary Opening
A prologue in literature introduces the theme or sets the stage for the story to come.
The prologue began with a powerful storm that foreshadowed the novel's tumultuous events.
Pro Tip 2/3Scene Setting
A book's prologue is often used to provide background information that is crucial to the plot.
In the prologue, the author described the medieval town in vivid detail.
Pro Tip 3/3Speaker's Introduction
In speeches, a prologue may serve to introduce the main topics before presenting arguments.
The speaker's prologue addressed the key points he would later expand upon.
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Video examples
Everything you need to...
as the prologue ambitiously introduces 29 pilgrims and promises four stories apiece, and the innkeeper never crowns a victor. It’s possible that Chaucer was so caught up in his sumptuous creations that he delayed picking a winner - or perhaps he was so fond of each character that he just couldn’t choose.
Video examples
LA92 Panel - Live PIPE...
is prologue and I think that sentiment has never been more true than what we've witnessed during the past two weeks Ellie 92 is a potent reminder of how little things have changed I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the conversation with a distinguished group
Video examples
A letter to all who have...
I know that feeling hurt is often prologue to dealing hurt. I wonder now if you would be less eager to deal it if I had stood with you
Video examples
Everything you need to...
as the prologue ambitiously introduces 29 pilgrims and promises four stories apiece, and the innkeeper never crowns a victor. It’s possible that Chaucer was so caught up in his sumptuous creations that he delayed picking a winner - or perhaps he was so fond of each character that he just couldn’t choose.
Video examples
LA92 Panel - Live PIPE...
is prologue and I think that sentiment has never been more true than what we've witnessed during the past two weeks Ellie 92 is a potent reminder of how little things have changed I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the conversation with a distinguished group
Video examples
A letter to all who have...
I know that feeling hurt is often prologue to dealing hurt. I wonder now if you would be less eager to deal it if I had stood with you
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Jerome Charyn
American Author
It was difficult to find my way into 'I Am Abraham,' to feel confident enough to inhabit Lincoln's persona. I began with a prologue in a neutral voice, wrote of Lincoln at the White House with a sly young reporter quizzing him about his humble origins.
Quote examples
Graham Nelson
English Mathematician
A deliberate choice on my part was for the player to continue to find new possibilities in the early Attic rooms far into the game. I think this builds atmosphere, though it means there's no neat division of the prologue from the middle game.
Quote examples
Colman Domingo
American Actor
There was a Ta-Nehisi Coates book called 'Between the World and Me' that I read the prologue, and I was so decimated by it that I couldn't even get through the rest of the book.
Quote examples
Saul Bass
American Designer
At one point it occurred to me that the title could make a more significant contribution to the storytelling process. It could act as a prologue.
Quote examples
Oscar Peterson
Canadian Musician
Some people try to get very philosophical and cerebral about what they're trying to say with jazz. You don't need any prologues, you just play.
Quote examples
James Madison
American President
A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.
Quote examples
Kate Herron
I always thought of episode 1 as the prologue and episode 2 as our chapter 1 for 'Loki.
Quote examples
William Congreve
English Poet
Courtship is to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play.
Quote examples
John Grisham
American Writer
I hate prologues because they're kind of gimmicks to suck you in.
Quote examples
William Shakespeare
English Playwright
What is past is prologue.
Quote examples
Jerome Charyn
American Author
It was difficult to find my way into 'I Am Abraham,' to feel confident enough to inhabit Lincoln's persona. I began with a prologue in a neutral voice, wrote of Lincoln at the White House with a sly young reporter quizzing him about his humble origins.
Quote examples
Graham Nelson
English Mathematician
A deliberate choice on my part was for the player to continue to find new possibilities in the early Attic rooms far into the game. I think this builds atmosphere, though it means there's no neat division of the prologue from the middle game.
Quote examples
Colman Domingo
American Actor
There was a Ta-Nehisi Coates book called 'Between the World and Me' that I read the prologue, and I was so decimated by it that I couldn't even get through the rest of the book.
Quote examples
Saul Bass
American Designer
At one point it occurred to me that the title could make a more significant contribution to the storytelling process. It could act as a prologue.
Quote examples
Oscar Peterson
Canadian Musician
Some people try to get very philosophical and cerebral about what they're trying to say with jazz. You don't need any prologues, you just play.
Quote examples
James Madison
American President
A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.
Quote examples
Kate Herron
I always thought of episode 1 as the prologue and episode 2 as our chapter 1 for 'Loki.
Quote examples
William Congreve
English Poet
Courtship is to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play.
Quote examples
John Grisham
American Writer
I hate prologues because they're kind of gimmicks to suck you in.
Quote examples
William Shakespeare
English Playwright
What is past is prologue.
Example 1 of 10
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