preface

UK: /ˈprɛfəs/ US: /ˈprɛfɪs/ ,(pref′is)

Inflections of 'preface' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

prefaces

v 3rd person singular

prefacing

v pres p

prefaced

v past

prefaced

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pref•ace /ˈprɛfɪs/   n., v., -aced, -ac•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. a statement in the front of a book by the author or editor, setting forth the book's purpose, etc.:
   The preface occupied a mere one page.
2. an introductory part, as of a speech.

v. [~ + object]

3. to provide with a preface:
   He prefaced his speech with remarks about his opponent.

pref•a•to•ry /ˈprɛfəˌtɔri/  adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pref•ace  (pref′is), n., v., -aced, -ac•ing. 
n. 

1. a preliminary statement in a book by the book's author or editor, setting forth its purpose and scope, expressing acknowledgment of assistance from others, etc.
2. an introductory part, as of a speech.
3. something preliminary or introductory:
   The meeting was the preface to an alliance.
4. Religion [Eccles.] a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.

v.t. 

5. to provide with or introduce by a preface.
6. to serve as a preface to.

• Medieval Latin prēfātia, for Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, equivalent. to praefāt(us) (past participle of praefārī to say beforehand; see pre-, fate) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle French
• Middle English 1350–1400

pref′ac•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See introduction. 
• 2, 3. preamble, prologue, prolegomena.

Antonyms

• 1. appendix.
• 2, 3. epilogue.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

preface / ˈprɛfɪs/ noun

1. a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword
2. anything introductory

verb (transitive)

1. to furnish with a preface
2. to serve as a preface to

Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin praefātia, from Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, from praefārī to utter in advance, from prae before + fārī to say

ˈprefacer noun