Preliminary: coming before the main stage
Preliminary describes something done before the main activity or final version. Its Latin roots refer to being before a threshold. A preliminary inspection can identify obvious problems before a detailed assessment begins, but its findings should not automatically be presented as the final assessment.
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Before the main work
Preliminary is an adjective for an introductory or preparatory stage. Its roots are Latin prae, meaning before, and limen, meaning threshold.
A preliminary inspection happens before a fuller inspection or the next major stage of work. A preliminary report presents early findings. Neither phrase necessarily means the work was careless; it means the work occupies an earlier position in the process.
Common combinations include:
- Preliminary discussions before formal arrangements.
- Preliminary results before further checking or completion.
The word can also be a noun: a preliminary is a preceding step or event. When sharing preliminary findings, explain what remains unfinished so the reader understands why the material is being labelled this way.