What does introductory mean?
Introductory means that something serves as a beginning, explanation, or orientation to a larger subject. It is especially common in educational and publishing contexts, as in an “introductory course,” “introductory textbook,” or “introductory remarks.” Such material is normally designed for people who are new to the topic, although the word can also simply identify the first section of a presentation, performance, or sequence. Introductory is distinct from elementary, which more specifically suggests a basic level of difficulty, and from preliminary, which often describes something that comes before a more important event or decision. In commercial contexts, an introductory offer or price is a temporary or special offer intended to encourage a first purchase or subscription. The word is formal but widely understood in British and American English.
adjectiveServing as an introduction or beginning. It often describes material intended for newcomers or people with little prior knowledge of a subject.
- Serving as a beginning or introduction, especially of a course, explanation, offer, or set of remarks.
"The course provides an introductory guide to the basic principles of astronomy."
"The speaker began with a few introductory remarks about the exhibition."
"This introductory course assumes no previous knowledge of chemistry."
The word comes from the Latin introducere, literally “to lead in”—a fitting ancestor for a word that guides beginners into a new subject.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does introductory come from?
“Introductory” ultimately derives from Latin introducere, formed from intro-, meaning “inward” or “into,” and ducere, meaning “to lead.” Its immediate Latin ancestor was introductory or introductorius, meaning “serving to introduce.” English adopted the word in the 16th century, and the same root produced forms such as introduce, introduction, and introducer.
Related word forms
How introductory is actually used
The term is formal and broadly neutral in tone. In educational contexts, it often indicates that a course or text is designed for beginners; in other contexts, it simply marks something that comes first in a sequence.