preview

preview — noun

1. an event where a film, play, or exhibition is shown to a small invited group ahe

1.nounB1
Definition

an event where a film, play, or exhibition is shown to a small invited group ahead of its public opening.

Example

The museum held a private preview for journalists before the art exhibition opened.

preview for [audience] before opening

Takeshi bought advance tickets to the preview of the nature documentary.

Common collocations
  • press preview
  • private preview
  • sneak preview
  • preview screening
  • preview before opening
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • official release

    the public opening that happens after the preview

  • premiere

    the first public showing, not a private preview

Grammar Patterns

preview + of [event/work]

Usage Note

Often used in the pattern 'preview of [event/work]' or 'preview for [audience]'. The people attending a preview are sometimes called 'previewers' in informal contexts.

Common Mistakes

I saw the film at a preview last night.' (when meaning a public screening for everyone)
I saw the film at a preview screening for members last night.
a preview is a private event for a select group, not a regular public showing.

2. a brief set of scenes taken from a movie or TV show and released early to attrac

2.nounB1
Definition

a brief set of scenes taken from a movie or TV show and released early to attract audiences and build interest.

Example

The preview for the new action film got millions of views online.

preview for [film/show]

Linh watched the preview three times because the ocean scenes looked beautiful.

Common collocations
  • movie preview
  • watch a preview
  • preview clips
  • preview trailer
  • film preview
Synonyms
  • trailer

    the everyday term; far more common than 'preview' for this meaning

  • teaser

    a very short, vague preview that hides most details

  • clip

    a short excerpt, not necessarily made for advertising

Grammar Patterns

preview + of [film/show]

Usage Note

More commonly called a 'trailer' in everyday speech. 'Preview' as a synonym feels slightly more formal or journalistic. The plural 'previews' can refer to a set of trailers shown before a feature film.

Common Mistakes

The preview of Titanic lasts three hours.' (confusing preview with the full film)
The preview of Titanic lasts two minutes.
a preview is a short advertisement, not the full movie.

preview — verb

Word family

  • previewer
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe short video excerpts, but they differ in purpose and usage. 'Trailer' is the everyday word for a promotional video made from film or TV footage, typically 1–3 minutes long. 'Preview' (noun sense 2) means the same thing but sounds slightly more formal or journalistic — newspapers use 'preview' more often than 'trailer'. A 'teaser' is much shorter (often 15–30 seconds) and deliberately vague, designed to create curiosity without revealing plot details. A 'clip' is any short excerpt, not necessarily promotional — it might be a funny scene shared online without any advertising purpose. In casual conversation, a person would say 'Did you see the trailer?' rather than 'Did you see the preview?'.

preview ↗trailer ↗teaserclip ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • press preview
  • sneak preview
  • advance preview
  • preview screening

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English by combining the prefix 'pre-' (meaning 'before') and the word 'view' (from Old French 'veue', meaning 'sight'). The noun first appeared in English around 1600, referring to a preliminary viewing of a document. The modern sense of showing a film or exhibition in advance developed in the early 20th century. The verb form emerged shortly after the noun, following the same pattern of advance examination.