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

There was a dividing line at ’65 and everything onward was a prologue to the ’70s. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2024

Unfortunately nothing really works with Sanders’ latest version, including a languid script and lack of chemistry between the leads, who, sans supernatural assistance, would be doomed to toxic codependency, whose meet-cute feels like the prologue to The Panic in Needle Park (1971). —Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024

Zane Lowe assumes the role of host for all three segments of the hour-long special, introduced as its guest driver and duet partner in a brief prologue that begins with franchise mainstay James Corden effectively handing over the keys via a phone call from Britain. —Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024

Emigration through trafficking is lined up for one of the film’s leads, though an ominous, abstract prologue sets a doom-laden tone for the eventual trip not going to plan. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025

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