Definition of preface noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
A preface is an introduction to the main text of a book, when an author or critic can write directly to the reader. A preface often describes how a book came together, like a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the final product.
Preface comes from Latin, meaning either "spoken before" (prae and fatia) [1][2] or "made before" (prae + factum). While the former source of the word could have preface meaning the same as prologue, the latter strongly implies an introduction written before the body of the book.
What Is a Preface in a Book? The preface of a book is part of its front matter, which is the section that comes before the first chapter and addresses readers directly. In this preface, you can describe your thought process as you wrote the book, how you researched the topic, or the goals you wanted to achieve through the book.
What is a preface, and what is its purpose? Learn how to write a preface in this guide, with examples of prefaces in writing.
What is a preface, and what purpose does it serve in a book? Check out our guide for all you need to know about prefaces (plus examples).
preface noun 1. introduction, preliminary, prelude, preamble, foreword, prologue, proem, prolegomenon, exordium the preface to the English edition of the novel verb
preface (third-person singular simple present prefaces, present participle prefacing, simple past and past participle prefaced) (transitive) To introduce or make a comment before (the main point); to premise.