SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
precursor
noun
Something that comes before another thing and signals or contributes to its development.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Forerunner
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topA precursor precedes something and often contributes to or signals its arrival. Harbinger and herald emphasize prediction rather than development.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See precursor in use
The experimental leaflet was a precursor to the society's monthly journal.
A short informal listening session became a precursor to the larger storytelling evening, giving the volunteers a format they could develop further.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license