Word
precursor
Phoneticspre·cur·sor, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹiˈkɝsɝ/
UK/pɹɪkˈɜːsɐ/
Definitions
01a forerunner or predecessor
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. something that happened or existed before another thing, especially if it influenced the later thing.
n. a person or thing that precedes another, often serving as a prototype or an indicator of future developments.
Español:precursor
“The small local protest was a precursor to the national movement that followed.”
“Historians often view the early 19th-century steam carriage as a direct precursor to the modern automobile, despite its limited commercial success.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02chemical starting material
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
n. a chemical substance that is used to make another substance during a reaction.
n. a compound that participates in a chemical reaction that produces another compound.
“The lab needs a specific precursor to create the new medicine.”
“The synthesis of the polymer requires a highly purified precursor to ensure the final product maintains its structural integrity.”
Usage
Commonly used in biochemistry and industrial chemistry contexts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The idea is to look for potential exoearths circling other sun-like stars that might have either precursors of life or primitive life.” “Army Air Forces (USAAF), a precursor to the modern Air Force, the Eighth suffered more fatalities than the entire Marine Corps over the course of World War II.” “However, the move should not be seen as a precursor to a repaired relationship between Harry and his brother, the Prince of Wales.” “A browser-based precursor to the Toolkit app identified illegal gambling ads and breaches of Australian political advertising rules in adult Facebook feeds, says Angus.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English precursour, from Middle French precurseur or its etymon Latin praecursor (“forerunner”). By surface analysis, precurse + -or.
From pre- + cursor.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/precursor
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0