overture

/ˈəʊvətʃʊə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈəʊvərtʃər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r ˈō-və-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r/ (ame, mw)

overture — noun

  • overturesingular
  • overturesplural

1. a piece for orchestra played at the start of a longer stage work, especially an

1.名詞C1
釋義

a piece for orchestra played at the start of a longer stage work, especially an opera or ballet

例句

The orchestra tuned quietly before the overture to Carmen began.

pattern: the overture to [opera]

A bright overture opened the school opera on Friday night.

同義詞
  • prelude

    broader and can refer to many kinds of introductory music, not only theatre works

  • introduction

    a general word for the opening part of a work, less specifically musical

  • opening piece

    a plain descriptive phrase, less fixed and less formal than overture

反義詞
  • finale

    the closing part rather than the opening part of a performance

文法句型

the overture to an opera

play the overture

conduct the overture

用法筆記

Usually followed by 'to' plus the name of the opera, ballet, or show. Unlike sense 3, this sense names an actual musical piece, not just an early sign of something later.

常見錯誤

❌We missed the overture of the meeting.
✅We missed the opening of the meeting.
💡this sense is for a musical introduction, not an ordinary start.
❌The band played an overture before the speech contest.
✅The band played an opening piece before the speech contest.
💡'overture' is mainly used for longer stage works such as operas or ballets.

2. a first offer, message, or action meant to begin talks, friendship, business, or

2.名詞C2
釋義

a first offer, message, or action meant to begin talks, friendship, business, or romance

例句

After months of silence, the union sent peace overtures to management.

collocation: peace overtures

Rosa ignored Tom's awkward overture at the office party.

romantic overture in singular form

同義詞
  • approach

    a broader word for trying to start contact or discussion

  • advance

    often used for romantic or sexual interest

  • feeler

    stresses a cautious attempt to test another person's reaction

  • proposal

    focuses more on the suggested plan itself than on the first move

文法句型

make overtures to someone

peace overtures

romantic overtures

用法筆記

Often appears in formal news or political writing, especially in the plural. Common after verbs such as 'make', 'send', 'reject', and 'exchange', and often followed by 'to' plus the other side.

常見錯誤

❌The company sent an overture about the meeting time.
✅The company sent a proposal about the meeting time.
💡an overture is usually a first move toward a relationship or agreement, not an ordinary practical suggestion.
❌She made an overture by saying hello in class.
✅She approached him by saying hello in class.
💡'overture' sounds formal and deliberate, so it is not the usual word for everyday small talk.

3. something that comes first and points ahead to what will happen later

3.名詞C2
釋義

something that comes first and points ahead to what will happen later

例句

The mayor's tax cut was an overture to wider city reform.

pattern: an overture to something later

That dinner-table argument became the overture to years of family silence.

同義詞
  • prelude

    the closest formal synonym for an early stage leading to something else

  • forerunner

    stresses that something comes before and signals what is next

  • lead-in

    a less formal term for something that introduces what follows

反義詞
  • aftermath

    what comes after an event rather than before it

文法句型

an overture to something

serve as an overture to

be only an overture to

用法筆記

Usually singular and commonly followed by 'to'. Distinguish from sense 2, where somebody deliberately reaches out to another person or group; this sense can describe any early event that prepares the way for what follows.

常見錯誤

❌Her email was an overture to me.
✅Her email was an overture to a longer complaint.
💡this sense points forward to a later event, not to the person receiving it.

overture — verb