A prelude to Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈpɹeɪˌɫud/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ

uh PREY-lood too, tuh, ti

UK

æɪ/ /pɹˈɛljuːd/ /tˈuː

uh PREL-yood too

Definition

An event or action that happens just before something more important and is seen as an introduction or start of it.

Usage & Nuances

Formal and literary; often used when discussing history, arts, or major events to signal that one thing leads directly into another. Common in the phrase 'a prelude to disaster/success/war'. Not used for casual, everyday situations.

• Spanish: un preludio de - el principio de
• Portuguese (BR): um prelúdio para - o começo de
• Portuguese (PT): um prelúdio para - o início de
• Chinese (Simplified): ...的序幕 - ...的前奏
• Chinese (Traditional): ...的序幕 - ...的前奏
• Hindi: का प्रारंभिक संकेत - की भूमिका
• Arabic: مقدمة لِـ - تمهيد لـ
• Bengali: সূচনা - ভূমিকা
• Russian: прелюдия к
• Japanese: 〜の前触れ - 〜への序章
• Vietnamese: khởi đầu cho - mở đầu cho
• Korean: 전조 - 서막
• Turkish: önsöz - başlangıç - giriş
• Urdu: پیش خیمہ - آغاز
• Indonesian: pendahuluan untuk - awal dari

Example Sentences

The small protest was a prelude to larger demonstrations.

basic

Dark clouds were a prelude to the coming storm.

basic

The music was a prelude to the ceremony.

basic

Losing his job turned out to be a prelude to a much better opportunity.

natural

Their argument was a prelude to the couple’s eventual breakup.

natural

The new tax law feels like a prelude to bigger economic changes.

natural