English · Word Candidate

preview

/ˈpɹiːvjuː/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: previews · previewing · previewed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An experience of something in advance.

Noun

Examples

It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An advance showing of a film, exhibition etc.

NounRegister: colloquial

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To show or watch something, or part of it, before it is complete.

Verb

Examples

Vidal's talk was caled "The Screening Of History," and it was a free-ranging meditation on the United States, the movies, on Vidal's personal history and numerous interconnections. (It also previewed a forthcoming book by the same name.)

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To show something in advance, a facility for viewing and checking a document or photo, or changes to it, before saving or printing it.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “preview” mean?

An experience of something in advance.

Is “preview” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.