Definition

1. Noun:

   • An advance showing or screening: A private or limited showing of a film, play, exhibition, or product before it is released or opened to the general public.
   • A short promotional film or video: An advertisement consisting of selected scenes or highlights from a forthcoming movie, TV show, or event, intended to generate interest.

2. Verb:

   • To view or show in advance: To watch, examine, or present something (like a movie, play, or product) before its official release or public presentation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The studio held an exclusive preview for critics before the film's premiere.
  • I watched a preview of the new series, and it looks very exciting.

• Verb:

  • The director will preview the documentary to a small audience next week.
  • Journalists were invited to preview the new art exhibition.

Advanced Usage

• "To get a preview of": To experience or see a small part of something that will happen or be available in the future.
  • The trailer gives us a preview of the upcoming action movie.
• In software/technology: A feature that allows a user to see how a document, image, or design will look before finalizing it.
  • Use the print preview function to check the page layout.

Variants and Related Words

• Previews (plural noun): Multiple advance showings or promotional clips.
  • The network released several previews for the new season.
• Previewing (gerund/continuous tense of verb): The act of watching or showing something in advance.
  • Previewing the software helped us identify some bugs.

Synonyms

• Noun: Sneak peek, advance screening, trailer, teaser.
• Verb: Screen in advance, view beforehand, sample.

Related Phrases

• "Preview performance": In theater, a performance of a play given before the official opening night, often to test audience reaction.
  • The play had two preview performances to work out the timing.
• "Press preview": A special advance showing for journalists and media professionals.
  • The museum's press preview attracted reporters from major newspapers.

Idioms

• "A preview of coming attractions": Literally, a trailer for future films; figuratively, a glimpse or hint of what is to come in the future.
  • The CEO's speech was a preview of coming attractions for the company's new strategy.

Noun

1. a screening for a select audience in advance of release for the general public
2. an advertisement consisting of short scenes from a motion picture that will appear in the near future

Verb

1. watch (a movie or play) before it is released to the general public