intro
gb/ˈɪntɹoʊ/ us/ˈɪntɹoʊ/
B1
English
~ 5500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
informal
B1
entity
1
opening section of something
The first part of a talk, text, video, song, etc. that starts it and tells you what it is about or who is in it.
Usage pattern:
the intro to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "intro" in very formal writing (for example, academic essays or official reports). In such contexts, "introduction" is usually preferred. Also, some learners confuse "intro" with "entrance"; "intro" is about the first part of communication, not a physical doorway.
Synonyms
introduction (Full, more formal word; used in both spoken and written English, especially in formal contexts.)
|
opening (Stresses the beginning part; can be less focused on giving information and more on the first moment or section.)
Antonyms
outro (Refers to the closing or final section of a song, video, or show, the opposite of the beginning intro.)
|
ending (General word for the final part of something, opposite of the first part or intro.)
Collocations
short intro
|quick intro
|song intro
|video intro
|write the intro
|skip the intro
Themes
media
|communication
|education
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The song has a long intro before the vocals start.
- I loved the intro of the movie; it really pulled me in.
- Can you skip the intro so we can watch the episode?
- The host gave a short intro and then brought the guest on stage.
- I still need to write the intro to my blog post.
Learner examples
- The intro of the film shows the main city.
- Please skip the intro of the show.
- The teacher's intro to the lesson was very clear.
- I like the intro of this song a lot.
- I must write an intro for my speech.
Noun
B1
entity
2
basic introduction to a subject
A simple first lesson, book, or experience that helps you start to understand a subject.
Usage pattern:
an intro to [a subject]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "intro" must always be the first chapter or part of a larger work. In this sense, it can also be a whole short course, book, or video series that gives only the basics. Another mistake is using "intro" where a more formal term like "overview" or "introduction" is expected in academic titles.
Synonyms
overview (Focuses on a broad picture of a subject; slightly more formal and less strongly tied to beginners.)
|
primer (A basic book or resource for beginners; somewhat formal and more often used in writing than speech.)
Antonyms
in-depth study (Focuses on detailed, advanced knowledge of a subject, which is the opposite of a simple first intro.)
|
advanced course (A higher-level class for people who already know the basics, the opposite of a beginner-friendly intro.)
Collocations
good intro
|great intro
|gentle intro
|beginner's intro
|an intro to programming
|serve as an intro
Themes
education
|learning
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This book is a great intro to neuroscience for non-scientists.
- The workshop is designed as an intro to basic coding skills.
- That video series is a gentle intro to yoga for complete beginners.
- Our first lecture will be an intro to the course themes and requirements.
- The article serves as a quick intro to the current debate on climate policy.
Learner examples
- This class is an intro to computer science.
- I want a good intro to English grammar.
- The teacher gave us an intro to the new topic.
- That book is a nice intro to art history.
- The short video is an intro to the company.
adjective
informal
B2
property
3
basic or beginner-level
Used before a noun to mean that something is for beginners and only gives the simple, first ideas of a subject.
Usage pattern:
intro [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write "intro course" in formal documents where "introductory course" would sound more natural. Another mistake is placing "intro" after the noun (e.g. *"the course intro" when they mean "intro course"); "intro" as an adjective usually comes before the noun.
Synonyms
introductory (Standard, more formal adjective; not shortened; preferred in careful or academic writing.)
|
basic (Emphasizes simplicity; can sound a bit more general and not always limited to first-level courses.)
Antonyms
advanced (Describes higher-level classes or materials for people who already know the basics, opposite of intro-level.)
|
intermediate (For people who are no longer beginners but not yet advanced, contrasted with intro-level at the very start.)
Collocations
intro course
|intro class
|intro level
|intro chapter
|intro guide
|intro workshop
Themes
education
|learning
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I'm taking an intro biology course this semester.
- This is just an intro class, so we won't go too deep into the theory.
- The book is written as an intro guide for new managers.
- Most students start with an intro programming course before moving on to data structures.
- We recommend our intro workshop for people who have never tried painting before.
Learner examples
- I am in an intro math class.
- She wrote an intro guide to travel in Japan.
- He teaches an intro course in marketing.
- They joined an intro workshop on photography.
- We must pass the intro class before the next level.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intro
IPA
GB/ˈɪntɹoʊ/
US/ˈɪntɹoʊ/
Syllables & stress
in - tro (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: intro
- Comparative: introer
- Superlative: introest
Noun
- Base: intro
- Plural: intros
Word family
Forms
intros
noun
introer
adjective
introest
adjective
Core family
introduce
verb A2
introduction
noun A2
Related words
introductory
adjective B2
reintroduce
verb
Expressions
course intro
1/kˈɔɹs ˈɪntɹoʊ/
fixed phrase
first explanatory part of a course
The first talk, video, or session of a course that explains what the course is about.
Examples
- Please watch the course intro before starting the first module.
- The course intro explains the goals, grading, and weekly schedule.
- During the course intro, the teacher asks everyone to introduce themselves.
intro to
1/ˈɪntɹoʊ tə/
fixed phrase
basic introduction to something
Used to talk about a first, simple explanation, book, or course about a subject.
Examples
- This seminar is an intro to project management.
- The podcast offers an intro to modern philosophy for general listeners.
- We signed up for an intro to digital photography together.
video intro
1/vˈɪdioʊ ˈɪntɹoʊ/
fixed phrase
opening section of a video
The first short part of a video that starts it and usually shows the name or logo.
Examples
- I added a short video intro with our logo to all our YouTube uploads.
- The video intro is too loud, so viewers often turn the sound down at the start.
- We hired a designer to create a new video intro for our channel.