preliminary
Coming before primary
Preliminary describes something that comes before the main event, serving as preparation or introduction: preliminary discussions, preliminary findings, a preliminary hearing.
As a noun, a preliminary is an early round or stage that must be completed before advancing: The team won its preliminary but lost in the finals.
The plural preliminaries often refers to introductory formalities: Let's skip the preliminaries and get down to business.
Hasty informal drawing
- outlineSummary of key elements
- draftPreliminary version of text
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- roughUneven in surface
working · conceptual · schematic · blueprint · mock-up · trial · experimental · test
Arranging things in advance
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
- planningArranging for future events
- prepReadiness work, abbreviated
- exploratorySeeking to discover
feasibility · pilot · tentative · provisional · formative · advance · lead-up · warm-up
Introductory piece or event
- prefaceIntroductory book section
- prologueIntroductory literary section
- forewordIntroductory book section
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
overture · preamble · opening · front-matter · lead-in · precursor · prequel
Initial stage of something
- startTo set going
- onsetStarting point of something
- outsetInitial point of something
- commencementAct of starting
inception · opening · dawn · kickoff · launch · debut · genesis · inaugural
Fundamental in nature
- fundamentalForming the base
- elementaryOf first principles
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- underlyingExisting beneath the surface
primary · core · rudimentary · foundational · ground-level · bedrock · introductory
sketch
Hasty informal drawing
rough · working · conceptual · schematic · blueprint · mock-up · trial · experimental · test
preparation
Arranging things in advance
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
- planningArranging for future events
- prepReadiness work, abbreviated
exploratory · feasibility · pilot · tentative · provisional · formative · advance · lead-up · warm-up · setup
prelude
Introductory piece or event
- prefaceIntroductory book section
- prologueIntroductory literary section
- forewordIntroductory book section
introduction · overture · preamble · opening · front-matter · lead-in · precursor · prequel
beginning
Initial stage of something
commencement · inception · opening · dawn · kickoff · launch · debut · genesis · inaugural · introductory
basic
Fundamental in nature
- fundamentalForming the base
- elementaryOf first principles
- essentialFundamentally necessary
underlying · primary · core · rudimentary · foundational · ground-level · bedrock · introductory
- adjectivesbig, urgent, amazing, temporary, bold
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- OlympicsOlympics, Olympic Games, Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics, Olympic medal
- beginningsbegin, beginning, start, first, opening
- Competition Formatsbest of three, best of five, best of seven, round robin, knockout
- incompleteincomplete, unfinished, partial, fragmentary, half-done
preliminaryfinal
Last and decisive
definitive · conclusive · decisive · finished · settled
- preliminary investigationInquiry before formal proceedings
- preliminary roundsInitial elimination stages
- preliminary hearingProceeding to evaluate evidence
- preliminary examinationFirst-round assessment or screening
- preliminary testInitial evaluation before proceeding
- preliminary eventContest preceding the main