What does prologuing mean?
Prologuing is the act of introducing a book, performance, film, or event with words that prepare the audience for what follows. A prologue may establish the setting, explain the background of a story, present a speaker's introductory remarks, or simply create an appropriate mood before the principal event begins. The word is associated mainly with formal and literary contexts and therefore sounds more specialized than the general verbs “introducing” and “prefacing.” As a participle, “prologuing” is often used with a work as its object: a writer might be described as “prologuing her novel,” while an organizer could be “prologuing the ceremony.” The term is useful when the introductory material has a distinct rhetorical function rather than merely serving as an opening announcement.
verbTo introduce a work or event with a prologue, especially by writing or presenting introductory remarks that establish its context or theme.
- To provide or present a prologue, especially as the opening section or introduction to a book, play, film, or formal event.
"She spent the morning prologuing her new novel with a vivid account of the family history behind it."
"The filmmaker prologued the documentary with archival footage of the original expedition."
"The chair prologued the conference by summarizing the discussions held during the previous year."
The word carries its own instruction: “pro” means before, while “logue” means word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prologuing come from?
The word comes from “prologue,” which was borrowed through Latin from Greek prologos, a term meaning “introduction” and formed from pro-, meaning “before” or “forward,” and logos, meaning “word” or “speech.” The verb meaning “to supply with an introduction” developed from this older noun and has long been associated especially with literary works. Related English words include the rare verb “prologize”; “epilogue” combines the same Greek root with epi-, meaning “after,” while “monologue” uses the root in a different formation.
Related word forms
How prologuing is actually used
A literary and relatively uncommon verb. In ordinary speech, “introducing” or “prefacing” will usually sound more natural. “Prologue” is also used as a verb, especially in publishing and literary contexts.