2 syllables: Pro, logue. Stress on Pro.
PROH-lahg
/ˈpɹoʊlɑɡ/
Prologue is pronounced PROH-lahg (/ˈpɹoʊlɑɡ/). It has two syllables (Pro-logue), with the stress on "Pro". Prologue is a preliminary section of a book or play that introduces the setting, characters, and themes before the main story begins. It can also serve as background information or context for the audience. The term is often contrasted with the main body of the work and is typically concise and preparatory in tone.
nounPrologue is a preliminary section of a book or play that introduces the setting, characters, and themes before the main story begins. It can also serve as background information or context for the audience. The term is often contrasted with the main body of the work and is typically concise and preparatory in tone.
"The novel opens with a Prologue that hints at future events."
"In the theater program, the Prologue sets the mood before the curtain rises."
"The director included a Prologue to explain the historical background of the saga."
US/UK/AU pronunciation: Prologue = /ˈproʊ.lɔːɡ/ (US) or /ˈprəʊ.lɒɡ/ (UK/AU). Primary stress on the first syllable. The second syllable features a clear /lɒɡ/ or /lɔːɡ/ with a dark L and a voiced stop ending. Mouth positions: start with a rounded lip position for /oʊ/ in US, then drop to a mid-back /ɒ/ in UK/AU, finishing with /ɡ/. Audio context: you’ll hear a strong initial beat in “PRO-” and a short but fully released “logue.”
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable (pro-LÔgue). Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable: PRO- ologue. 2) Reducing the second syllable to a schwa or /ləɡ/ without the clear /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ vowel. Correction: articulate full /ɔː/ (US /oʊ/). 3) Final /ɡ/ devoicing or cutting off without a clean release. Correction: end with a crisp, voiced /ɡ/ with a short release.
US tends to use /ˈproʊ.lɔːɡ/ with a strong /oʊ/ in the first syllable and a broad /ɔː/ in the second. UK/AU favor /ˈprəʊ.lɒɡ/ or /ˈprəʊ.lɔːɡ/ with a more centralized initial vowel and a short, open second syllable /lɒɡ/. Rhoticity is less pronounced in UK pronunciation; US includes a rhotic post-vocalic /ɹ/ only when present in other words, not in Prologue. Vowel length and quality differ: US /oʊ/ is a diphthong, UK/AU /əʊ/ is a similar diphthong but with different starting point.
The challenge lies in the subtle vowel transitions and final cluster /lɔːɡ/ or /lɒɡ/. You need precise lip rounding for /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ and a clear, voiced /ɡ/. The initial unstressed schwa variant in UK/AU may tempt speakers to soften the first vowel; maintaining primary stress on the first syllable and producing a crisp /l/ before the /ɔːɡ/ segment is essential. Pay attention to two-syllable rhythm and avoid a rushed second syllable.
Does Prologue ever reduce the first syllable to /prə-/ in fast speech? In careful pronunciation you’ll keep /ˈproʊ/ or /ˈprəʊ/ in the first syllable, but in rapid connected speech some speakers lengthen or reduce it slightly toward /prə-/, especially in casual talk. Awareness of this tendency helps you decide when to emphasize the initial syllable for clarity and meaning in performance or analysis.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Prologue"!
- US: keep /ˈproʊ.lɔːɡ/ with full /oʊ/ and a dark /l/ before /ɔːɡ/. - UK: /ˈprəʊ.lɒɡ/ with a centering diphthong /əʊ/ and a shorter /ɒ/. - AU: /ˈprəʊ.lɔːɡ/ similar to UK but with non-rhoticity and Australian vowel quality. - Vowel shifts: ensure /oʊ/ vs /əʊ/; consonant /l/ should be light or darker depending on accent; keep /ɡ/ voiced and released. - IPA references included for accuracy; practice with minimal pairs to feel the shift between /proʊ/ and /prəʊ/.”,
Prologue comes from the Late Latin prologus, which itself derives from the Greek prologos (pro- ‘before’ + logos ‘word, speech’). The term originally referred to a section of a text or speech before the main discourse. In ancient dramas, the prologue would introduce the story and may be spoken by a character or the chorus. The English usage broadened in the 16th century to denote any introductory section before a larger work. The word’s early sense emphasized an opening speech or preface that frames the audience’s expectations. Over time, prologues can be standalone verbal or written preludes, sometimes serving thematic foreshadowing or historical setup. The concept remains constant: a preparatory piece before the main content, guiding interpretation and context for readers or viewers.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Prologue" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Prologue" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Prologue" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Prologue"
-gue sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
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