preview

noun

1

: an advance statement, sample, or survey

2

: an advance showing or performance (as of a movie or play)

3

or less commonly prevue

ˈprē-ˌvyü 

: a selected group of scenes shown to advertise a movie, television show, etc.

called also trailer

Examples of preview in a Sentence

We saw the movie at a special preview.

Before the movie starts they always show previews of coming attractions.

There are previews of the next week's episode at the end of each show.

They gave a preview of the upcoming football season.

The magazine includes a preview of the newest fall fashions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ringling Hype Crew circus artists will entertain and delight audiences with an exclusive preview performance featuring unicycle tricks, jump rope acrobatics, hand balancing, plus a special appearance with adorable robo-pup Bailey Circuit. —Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 4 June 2026

The week of previews leading up to the public opening was characterized by loud protests outside the Israeli and Russian pavilions. —ABC News, 4 June 2026

In a preview for the press, NPR and other media toured the building and grounds showcasing the Obama presidency. —Tamara Keith, NPR, 4 June 2026

Shortly before Prada Mode opened its doors to its first visitors on Wednesday morning, Refn shared a preview of what might be next for the duo — and Prada Mode. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preview

• sneak preview

Rhymes for preview

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

preview

1 of 2 verb

pre·​view ˈprē-ˌvyü 

: to view or show in advance

preview

2 of 2 noun

1

: a showing of something (as a movie) before regular showings

2

also prevue

-ˌvyü 

: a showing of bits from a movie that is to be shown in the near future