# preface

/ˈpɹɛfəs/ (US) · /pɹˈɛfəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/preface
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. book introduction

noun · CEFR B2

an introduction at the beginning of a book, usually written by the author to explain why they wrote it.

For teachers: an introductory section at the beginning of a literary work, typically written by the author to provide context, scope, or acknowledgments.

- In the preface, the author explains that the story is based on his own life.
- The revised edition includes a new preface where the historian addresses the criticisms leveled against his original thesis.

### 2. preliminary remarks

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

something said at the start of a speech or event to introduce what follows.

For teachers: a series of preliminary remarks or an introductory statement made before the main body of a speech or presentation.

- After a brief preface about the company's history, the CEO announced the new project.
- The diplomat began his address with a lengthy preface concerning the shared values of the two nations before discussing the specific treaty terms.

### 3. religious prayer

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a special prayer said at the beginning of the most important part of a church service.

For teachers: a variable prayer forming the introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer or canon of the Mass.

- The congregation stood as the priest began the preface of the ceremony.
- The liturgical scholar noted that the specific wording of the preface varies according to the season of the ecclesiastical calendar.

### 4. to introduce

verb · CEFR B2

to say or write something as an introduction before you get to your main point.

For teachers: to introduce or precede a statement or piece of writing with preliminary comments.

- I should preface my remarks by saying that I am not an expert in this field.
- She chose to preface her presentation with a startling statistic to immediately capture the audience's attention.

Usage: The verb is transitive and usually takes the preposition 'with'.

## Examples

- The author explains her research methods in the preface.
- I usually skip the preface and go straight to the first chapter, but this one was actually quite helpful.
- In the preface to the second edition, the philosopher addresses several criticisms that had been leveled against his original thesis since its publication.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.