Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

prequel

/ˈpɹiːkwəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.19 in modern English

Syllables: pre-quel
IPA: /ˈpɹiːkwəl/

18

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

In a series of works, an installment that is set chronologically before its predecessor, especially the original narrative or (perhaps improper usage) any narrative work with at least one sequel.

Example Sentences

"'Prequels' are sequels that relate the story that preceded the original film."
"Set in 1935, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom probably has to be called a pre-sequel, or prequel, to Raiders of the Lost Ark, which was set in 1936, but it isn’t pulpy in the way that Raiders was."
"2008, 26 February, Andrew Pierce, "JRR Tolkien's estate to sue Lord of the Rings filmmakers New Line Cinema over profits, in The Daily Telegraph They are also threatening to block the production of the long-awaited prequel, The Hobbit, which may now be cancelled."

Etymology

From pre- (“before”) + quel, by analogy with sequel.

Inflected Forms

prequels (plural)

Derived Forms

prequelise prequelization prequelize

Frequently Paired Words

midquel sequel interquel threequel

Antonyms

sequel

Rhymes With

equal sequel sql unequal

Questions

How do you pronounce prequel?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpɹiːkwəl/.
What does prequel mean?: In a series of works, an installment that is set chronologically before its predecessor, especially the original narrative or (perhaps improper usage) any narrative work with at least one sequel.
Where does prequel come from?: From pre- (“before”) + quel, by analogy with sequel.

How to pronounce prequel

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “prequel”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈpɹiːkwəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “prequel”.
Repeat and practice — Say “prequel” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.