prequel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Informal (common in media, entertainment, and fan discourse)
Quick answer
What does “prequel” mean?
A story or film set before the events of a previously created work, detailing earlier events in the same narrative world.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A story or film set before the events of a previously created work, detailing earlier events in the same narrative world.
A literary, cinematic, or other narrative work that is created after and set chronologically before an existing successful work, exploring the backstory or origins of characters or events established in the original.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling and pronunciation are identical. The concept is equally common in both cultures.
Connotations
Neutral, denoting a specific narrative structure. May sometimes carry a slight negative connotation if perceived as a commercial attempt to capitalize on an existing franchise.
Frequency
Equally frequent in UK and US media and colloquial discussions about films, TV series, books, and video games.
Grammar
How to Use “prequel” in a Sentence
[NOUN] is a prequel to [NOUN PHRASE]The [NOUN] serves as a prequel for [NOUN PHRASE]a prequel of [NOUN PHRASE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prequel” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The prequel trilogy was filmed in the UK.
- He's writing a prequel novel.
American English
- The prequel movie was shot in Canada.
- She pitched a prequel series to the network.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in entertainment industry reports, marketing materials, and franchise planning (e.g., 'The studio greenlit a prequel to the 2015 blockbuster.').
Academic
Used in film studies, narratology, and media studies to analyse narrative chronology and franchise development.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about movies, TV, books, and games (e.g., 'Have you seen the new Star Wars prequel?').
Technical
A defined term in scriptwriting, game design, and literary criticism for a work that retroactively expands a fictional timeline.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prequel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prequel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prequel”
- Using 'prequel' to refer to any earlier historical event unrelated to a specific narrative work.
- Misspelling as 'prequal' (which is related to financial qualification).
- Confusing it with 'reboot' or 'remake'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely. Most prequels are created after the original work becomes successful, as a way to expand the story backwards.
An origin story is a type of prequel that focuses specifically on how a character or organisation came to be. All origin stories within an existing franchise are prequels, but not all prequels are solely origin stories.
No. While most common in film and TV, the term is also standard for books, video games, comic books, and any other narrative medium with serialised storytelling.
No, it is not standard English to use 'prequel' as a verb (e.g., 'to prequel something'). The noun form is used exclusively.
A story or film set before the events of a previously created work, detailing earlier events in the same narrative world.
Prequel is usually neutral to informal (common in media, entertainment, and fan discourse) in register.
Prequel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpriː.kwəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpriː.kwəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The story acts as a prequel to the original events.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PRE-quel' – it's the story that comes BEFORE the story you already know. 'Pre' means before, like in 'preview' or 'prehistoric'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NARRATIVE IS A JOURNEY: A prequel is a journey back to the starting point of a known path.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'prequel'?