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Preliminary vs Prerequisite - What's the difference?

preliminary | prerequisite |

As adjectives the difference between preliminary and prerequisite

is that preliminary is in preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory while prerequisite is required as a prior condition of something else; necessary or indispensable.

As nouns the difference between preliminary and prerequisite

is that preliminary is a preparation for a main matter; an introduction while prerequisite is something that must be gained in order to gain something else.

preliminary

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Adjective

(-)
  • in preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory
  • These are just the preliminary results.
  • *
  • And then, after a few preliminary tries, the whole farm burst out into 'Beasts of England' in tremendous unison.

    Antonyms

    * definitive, final

    Derived terms

    * preliminarily * preliminary results * preliminary considerations

    Noun

    (preliminaries)
  • A preparation for a main matter; an introduction
  • Any of a series of sports events that determine the finalists
  • A relatively minor contest that precedes a major one, especially in boxing
  • prerequisite

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Required as a prior condition of something else; necessary or indispensable.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that must be gained in order to gain something else
  • Having a decent qualification is a prerequisite to getting a good job in marketing.
  • In education, a course or topic that must be completed before another course or topic can be started. May be colloquially referred to as a prereq .
  • Algebra is typically a prerequisite for physics .