preface

[US]/ˈprefəs/
[UK]/ˈprefəs/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. an introduction or opening to a book or speech
vt. to serve as an introduction to, to serve as the beginning of

Example Sentences

The preface is complete in itself.

to preface a book by a life of the writer

it is important to preface the debate with a general comment.

a preface is prefixed to the book.

This book has a preface written by the author.

That book has a preface, not a foreword.

the book is prefaced by a quotation from William Faulkner.

Our defeat may be the preface to our successor's victory.

She prefaced her remarks by an apology.

An informal brunch served as a preface to the three-day conference.

He has written a fine preface to the play.

A short documentary prefaced the feature movie.

It is found in the Preface of the Feast of the Transfiguration according to the Ambrosian Missal;

He prefaced his speech with an amusing story.

Several pages of closely reasoned argument preface her account of the war.

She prefaced her remarks with a few words of welcome to the guest speaker.

Real-world Examples

Just a quick note preface before I start in earnest.

Source: 100 Classic English Essays for Recitation

And this tour, let me just preface by saying I've always had fun doing this.

Source: Chronicle of Contemporary Celebrities

One of the most direct references to Greek mythology is the preface to The Deathly Hallows.

Source: Curious Muse

What did the writer say in the preface of the book?

Source: Liu Yi Breakthrough English Vocabulary 3000

But to preface it, I grew up without social media.

Source: The yearned rural life

This preface quotes a passage from The Libation Bearers, by Aeschylus.

Source: Curious Muse

Let me just preface this with a big disclaimer that screams, " I should have known better."

Source: The Vampire Diaries Season 2

And I want to preface this by saying, I don't have all the details.

Source: TED Talks (Video Edition) July 2018 Collection

I preface by saying that I'm a pet lover. I'd love dogs.

Source: CNN Selected June 2015 Collection

I'm super classy, so I'm just gonna preface it with that.

Source: Celebrity's Daily Meal Plan (Bilingual Selection)

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