curtain-raiser

noun

cur·​tain-rais·​er ˈkər-tᵊn-ˌrā-zər How to pronounce curtain-raiser (audio)
1
: a short play usually of one scene that is presented before the main full-length drama
2
: a usually short preliminary to a main event

Examples of curtain-raiser in a Sentence

the opening of the performing arts center proved to be a curtain-raiser for the rebirth of the city's downtown
Recent Examples on the Web There was a burst of clapping right before the initial point, a curtain-raiser befitting the show about to unfold. CBS News, 7 Sep. 2024 By Koh Ewe May 9, 2024 6:45 AM EDT Malaysia’s domestic soccer league was meant to kick off on Friday with a match between its top two teams that serves both as the Malaysia Charity Shield and the league curtain-raiser. Koh Ewe, TIME, 9 May 2024 Catt sings in a jingly Tin Pan Alley curtain-raiser, eager to make men comfortable with the idea of extending the franchise. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 2 May 2024 The curtain-raiser traditionally took place at the home of the Serie A champion and was a nice day out for the fans. Daniella Matar, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024 The film is also one of two curtain-raisers for the Hong Kong International Film Festival, opening on March 30. Vivienne Chow, Variety, 17 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curtain-raiser.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curtain-raiser was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near curtain-raiser

Cite this Entry

“Curtain-raiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curtain-raiser. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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