prologue

noun

pro·​logue ˈprō-ˌlȯg 

-ˌläg

variants or less commonly prolog

1

: the preface or introduction to a literary work

2

a

: a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by an actor at the beginning of a play

b

: the actor speaking such a prologue

3

: an introductory or preceding event or development

Did you know?

In ancient Greek drama, the prologos (a word that means basically "speaking before") was the opening portion of the play, before the entry of the all-important chorus. It might be spoken by a single actor, maybe playing a god, who would "set the scene" for the audience. Playwrights today instead often provide the same kind of "scene-setting" information through dialogue near the play's beginning; in movies, it may appear (as in the "Star Wars" series) in the form of actual written text. In a nonfiction book, the lead-in is now usually called a preface or introduction; novels rarely provide any introduction at all. Still, prologue remains a useful word for nonliterary purposes. The saying "The past is prologue" tells us that, in real life, almost everything can be a prologue to what follows it.

Synonyms

• curtain-raiser
• overture
• preamble
• preliminary
• prelude
• warm-up

Examples of prologue in a Sentence

the prologue to his autobiography

unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime

Recent Examples on the Web

The script, co-written by Ross and producer Joslyn Barnes, scraps Whitehead’s opening prologue about the wretched cemetery to instead emphasize that this will be a bittersweet celebration of life. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

The audience at the King’s Company production of Othello on December 8, 1660, heard an unusual prologue before the play began. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Dec. 2024

Ten years in the making, the documentary wrapped before the events of Oct. 7, 2023, although the helmer briefly notes the death and destruction of 2024 in her prologue and closing credits. —Alissa Simon, Variety, 7 Dec. 2024

In the opening prologue episode, researchers try to upend this oppression by using a new and improved brain and mechanical interface. —Ollie Barder, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prolog, from Anglo-French prologue, from Latin prologus preface to a play, from Greek prologos part of a Greek play preceding the entry of the chorus, from pro- before + legein to speak — more at pro-, legend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prologue

noun

pro·​logue ˈprō-ˌlȯg 

1

: an introduction to a book or play

2

: an act or event that comes before or introduces something