Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun prelude

2 senses of prelude

Sense 1
preliminary, overture, prelude -- (something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner")
       => origin, origination, inception -- (an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events)

Sense 2
prelude -- (music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera)
       => music -- (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb prelude

2 senses of prelude

Sense 1
prelude -- (serve as a prelude or opening to)
       => serve, function -- (serve a purpose, role, or function; "The tree stump serves as a table"; "The female students served as a control group"; "This table would serve very well"; "His freedom served him well"; "The table functions as a desk")

Sense 2
prelude -- (play as a prelude)
       => play, spiel -- (replay (as a melody); "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully")