preview

[ pree-vyoo ]

See synonyms for preview on Thesaurus.com

noun

an earlier or previous view.
an advance showing of a motion picture, play, etc., before its public opening.

an advance showing of brief scenes in a motion picture, television show, etc., for purposes of advertisement.
anything that gives an advance idea or impression of something to come.

verb (used with object)

to view or show beforehand or in advance.

Origin of preview

First recorded in 1600–10; 1920–25 for def. 2; pre- + view

Also pre·vue .

Other words from preview

un·pre·viewed, adjective

Words Nearby preview

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use preview in a sentence

One, from a short preview of her rehearsal performance, is that Williams certainly boasts the vocal chops to do the part justice.
The Cast of ‘Peter Pan Live!’ Knows You Hatewatched ‘The Sound of Music’ | Kevin Fallon | December 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
As a preview, Sony unveiled “Almost Like the Blues,” which went viral on YouTube.
Excuse Me For Not Dying: Leonard Cohen at 80 | David Yaffe | September 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When filming finally ended and I eventually saw an early preview of the film, it was stranger still.
What It's Like to Watch Kate Beckinsale Play You in a Movie | Barbie Latza Nadeau | September 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Like so many others in the nerd world, I fell in love with Cards Against Humanity through its Kickstarter preview in 2011.
The Case Against Cards Against Humanity: Is Max Temkin a Horrible Person? (Does It Matter?) | Arthur Chu | July 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And then Michael came to our third preview and I thought, ‘I’m a terrible person!
Daniel Radcliffe Says No More ‘Harry Potter.’ (He’s Not Engaged, Either.) | Marlow Stern | May 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

He looked like a man who had lately had a preview of Hell's inverted pleasures.
I'll Kill You Tomorrow | Helen Huber
She recalled all that now as she sat in the little theatre waiting for the preview of her picture to begin.
Hour of Enchantment | Roy J. Snell
Because of such a plan the matters of review and preview take on vital significance.
Principles of Teaching | Adam S. Bennion
His nightmares ran twice: once just before bed, in clairvoyant preview, and again in the depths of REM sleep.
Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town | Cory Doctorow
Important as is the review, the preview or assignment is equally vital.
Principles of Teaching | Adam S. Bennion

British Dictionary definitions for preview

preview

US prevue

/ (ˈpriːvjuː) /

noun

an advance or preliminary view or sight
an advance showing before public presentation of a film, art exhibition, etc, usually before an invited audience of celebrities and journalists

a public performance of a play before the official first night

verb

(tr) to view in advance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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