precede
gb/pɹɪsˈid/ us/pɹɪsˈid/
B2
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
relation
1
Happen or come before
To happen or be before something else in time or order.
Usage pattern:
[something] precedes [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'precede' with 'proceed'. 'Precede' means to come before; 'proceed' means to go forward.
Synonyms
come before (More informal and plain than 'precede'.)
|
anticipate (Can mean 'come before' but also 'expect', so less precise.)
Antonyms
follow (Means to come after in time or order.)
Collocations
immediately precede
|directly precede
|years precede
|events precede
|discussion precedes
Themes
time
|sequence
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A brief introduction will precede the lecture.
- The ceremony was preceded by a short speech.
- Dark clouds often precede a thunderstorm.
- The meeting will precede the signing of the contract.
Learner examples
- The movie was preceded by a short ad.
- Dinner will precede the party.
- A short talk will precede the show.
- Rain often precedes strong winds.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
Go ahead of physically
To go in front of someone or something.
Usage pattern:
[someone] precedes [someone/something]
Synonyms
lead (Implies guiding others, not just being ahead.)
Antonyms
follow (Means to go behind someone or something.)
Collocations
precede into
|escort precedes
|leader precedes
Themes
movement
|direction
|travel
|transportation
Examples
- The guide preceded us into the dark cave.
- The marching band preceded the players onto the field.
- The mayor preceded the guests into the hall.
Learner examples
- The teacher preceded the students into the room.
- The car preceded the bus down the street.
- A man preceded us into the shop.
Grammar
Dictionary form
precede
IPA
GB/pɹɪsˈid/
US/pɹɪsˈid/
Syllables & stress
pre - cede (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cede)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: precede
- 3rd Person Singular: precedes
- Present Participle: preceding
- Past: preceded
Word family
Forms
precedes
verb
preceding
verb
preceded
verb
Core family
precedence
noun
precedent
noun C1
Related words
predecessor
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unprecedented
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
antecedent
noun
Expressions
be preceded by
1/bˈi pɹɪsˈidɪd bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
Have something happen before
To have something happen before it.
Examples
- The performance was preceded by a short film.
- Her talk was preceded by an introduction from the host.
preceding day
1/pɹisˈidɪŋ dˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
Day before a given day
The day before today or another day mentioned.
Examples
- On the preceding day, it had rained heavily.
- The preceding day was sunny and warm.