prelude Definition
- 1an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important
- 2a short piece of music that acts as an introduction to a longer piece
Using prelude: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "prelude" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The riots were a prelude to the revolution.
Example
The prelude to the concert was a speech by the conductor.
Example
The prelude is a beautiful piece of music in its own right.
Example
The prelude sets the tone for the entire symphony.
prelude Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with prelude
Example
The company's bankruptcy was a prelude to disaster.
Example
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was a prelude to World War I.
play a prelude
to perform a short piece of music that acts as an introduction to a longer piece
Example
The pianist played a beautiful prelude before launching into the sonata.
Origins of prelude
from French 'prélude', from Medieval Latin 'praeludium', from Latin 'prae' meaning 'before' + 'ludere' meaning 'to play'
Summary: prelude in Brief
A 'prelude' [ˈprɛljuːd] can refer to an action or event that serves as an introduction to something more important, such as 'The riots were a prelude to the revolution.' It can also refer to a short piece of music that acts as an introduction to a longer piece, like 'The prelude sets the tone for the entire symphony.' Other phrases include 'prelude to disaster,' which refers to an event that foreshadows a catastrophic outcome, and 'prelude to war,' which signals the start of a conflict.