precursor
Something that comes before and indicates what will follow
Examples
In a meeting
“This pilot program is a precursor to our full national rollout”
Over coffee
“Dark clouds are usually a precursor to rain”
Why this word
predecessor
Precursor indicates something that comes before and leads to or anticipates what follows, while predecessor simply means something earlier without implying causal relationship
forerunner
Precursor often implies a more direct chemical, biological, or causal relationship to what follows, while forerunner is more general about temporal precedence
sign
Precursor is something that actually develops into or chemically/causally produces what follows, while sign merely indicates or suggests future events
Usage tip
Use when identifying something that signals or leads to a later development; implies a sequential relationship
Etymology
Latin 'praecursor' (prae- 'before' + currere 'to run')
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Related words
subsequent
Coming after something in time or order.
prompt
To cause or encourage an action or response
prerequisite
Something required before something else can happen
ascribe
To attribute something to a particular cause or source
attribute
To identify something as being caused by or belonging to a particular source
precipitate
To cause something to happen suddenly or sooner than expected