prequel

noun

pre·​quel ˈprē-kwəl How to pronounce prequel (audio)
: a work (such as a novel or a play) whose story precedes that of an earlier work
… the real payoff will be for the next Star Wars, an expected prequel to the previous three movies.—Laurence Hooper

Examples of prequel in a Sentence

His next film will be a prequel to last year's hit movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Zero Company uses the epic backdrop of the prequels and the Clone Wars to tell an original trilogy-style story about a band of heroes that simply come together in the right place at the right time. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 After writing the After series in 2014, a five-book young-adult romance, including a prequel appropriately titled Before, Todd‘s books went on to become feature films starring Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 As for Robbie’s Ocean’s Eleven prequel, the film has thus far cycled through two directors, with Jay Roach and Lee Isaac Chung both exiting the project in recent months. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026 The actress, who previously starred in Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel series 1923, is recalling her experience visiting the show creator, 56, at his Texas ranch before signing on for the project. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prequel

Word History

Etymology

pre- + -quel (as in sequel)

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prequel was in 1922

Rhymes for prequel

See All Rhymes for prequel

Browse Nearby Words

prequalify
prequel
prerace
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prequel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prequel. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prequel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prequel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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