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Preliminary Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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preliminary

[prɪˈlɪmɪnəri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

before final decision

denoting an action or event preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.

Synonyms

initial, introductory, opening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preliminary

Use this word when describing actions or events that happen before the main action or event, often to prepare for it.

  • The preliminary results of the study will be announced soon.
  • We need to finish the preliminary work before we start the project.
initial

This word is suitable when referring to the very beginning stage or the first in a series of actions or events.

  • The initial phase of the project is complete.
  • She had some initial doubts about the plan.
introductory

This term is best used when referring to something that serves as an introduction, especially to a larger body of work or experience.

  • The introductory chapter of the book provides a summary of the main concepts.
  • We attended an introductory session on data analysis.
opening

Use this when referring to the very start of an event, speech, or document. It might also describe the act of opening something, like a door or a building.

  • The professor's opening remarks set the tone for the conference.
  • The grand opening of the new library will be next week.

Examples of usage

  • It's just a preliminary meeting to discuss the details.
  • The team conducted a preliminary investigation before making any conclusions.
Context #2 | Adjective

temporary measure

serving as a preliminary measure, to be followed by further action.

Synonyms

interim, provisional, stopgap.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preliminary

Use this when referring to something that is an initial step or stage before the main event or action.

  • The preliminary results of the survey will be shared next week.
  • We had a preliminary meeting to discuss the project's goals.
provisional

This word is suitable for situations where something is temporary and likely to change after more information or a final decision is available.

  • We've issued a provisional schedule for the event, which might change later.
  • She was given provisional acceptance into the program pending her final grades.
interim

This is used to describe a temporary period or arrangement before a final decision, result, or permanent situation.

  • An interim CEO will be appointed until we find a permanent replacement.
  • The interim report outlines the progress we have made so far.
stopgap

Use this for temporary solutions meant to serve until a more permanent or suitable solution is available. It often has a negative connotation, implying something is makeshift or substandard.

  • The old software serves as a stopgap measure until the new version is ready.
  • We hired a stopgap employee to cover the position during the hiring process.

Examples of usage

  • We have put in place some preliminary measures to address the issue.
  • The preliminary solution helped to mitigate the problem temporarily.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Preliminary exams often help students prepare for more challenging tests, helping boost confidence.
  • In higher education, preliminary research is critical for defining the scope of a study before diving deep.

Science

  • In scientific research, preliminary data can guide a study's direction and help refine hypotheses.
  • Preliminary findings are crucial for determining if a larger study is warranted.

Pop Culture

  • In many competitions, preliminary rounds filter out participants to find the best ones for the final showdown.
  • Reality TV often has preliminary auditions to select contestants before the main show airs.

Business

  • Businesses often conduct preliminary analyses to assess market viability before launching a new product.
  • Preliminary meetings can help clarify objectives and strategies before formal negotiations begin.

Origin of 'preliminary'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'prae', meaning 'before', and 'limin-', which derives from 'limen', meaning 'threshold'.
  • In the 15th century, 'preliminary' was used in English to describe actions or events that lead to something more important.

The word 'preliminary' originated from the Latin word 'praeliminarius', which means 'of or pertaining to a preliminary'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. The term has been used to describe actions or events that precede something more significant or as temporary measures before a final decision or action is taken.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,536, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.