# predate vs preface

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### predate
*verb · IPA /ˈpɹiːˌdeɪt/ · frequency rank #47,838*
To designate a date earlier than the actual one; to move a date, appointment, event, or period of time to an earlier point (contrast "postdate".)

### preface
*noun · IPA /ˈpɹɛfəs/ · frequency rank #17,448*
A beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book, typically serving to contextualize or explain the writing of the book and sometimes to acknowledge others' contributions; especially, such a discussion written by the work's own author.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/predate-vs-preface