introduce
To help two people meet for the first time or to bring something new into a place.
Explanation at your level:
You use introduce when you meet new people. You say: 'Let me introduce you to my friend.' It is a very useful word for making friends.
You can also use it for things. If a store has a new item, they introduce it to the customers. It means to show something for the first time.
In an office, you might introduce a new rule or a new project. It means starting something new. Remember to use 'to' when you show one person to another.
The word is used in formal contexts to describe innovation. You might talk about how a government introduces legislation or how a scientist introduces a new theory to the academic community.
At this level, consider the nuance of introducing as a form of influence. You are not just showing something; you are actively shaping an environment by adding a new element to it.
In literary or philosophical contexts, the term can imply the inception of complex ideas. It is often used to discuss the historical introduction of cultural paradigms or systemic changes in society.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to help people meet.
- Used to bring new things into use.
- Followed by 'to' when talking about people.
- Commonly used in both formal and informal settings.
When you introduce someone, you are acting as a bridge. You are helping two people who don't know each other start a conversation. It is a social icebreaker.
Beyond people, we use this word for innovation. If a company releases a new phone, they introduce it to the market. It is all about the first time something appears.
The word comes from the Latin introducere. This is a combination of intro (meaning 'inward' or 'to the inside') and ducere (meaning 'to lead').
Think of it literally as leading someone inside. Historically, it was used to describe bringing a guest into a room or a new custom into a culture. It has kept this sense of 'bringing in' for centuries.
You use this word in both formal and informal settings. In social situations, you might say, 'May I introduce you to my colleague?'
In business, we often use it with policies or products. 'The company decided to introduce a new dress code.' It is a very versatile verb in professional English.
While 'introduce' is a direct verb, it appears in phrases like introduce someone to the ropes, meaning to teach them how things work. Another is introduce a new era, which signifies a major historical shift.
These phrases help you sound more natural when discussing change or training.
The word is a regular verb. Its past tense is introduced and the present participle is introducing. It is often followed by 'to' when referring to people.
Pronunciation varies slightly between US and UK English, specifically regarding the 'u' sound. Focus on the stress on the final syllable: in-tro-DUCE.
Fun Fact
The word has been in English since the 15th century.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'in' sound, 'tro' is soft, 'duce' has a long 'u' sound.
Similar to UK but the 'u' is often a simpler 'oo' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 't' too hard
- Missing the stress on the last syllable
- Confusing 'introduce' with 'induction'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Straightforward
Commonly used
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Transitivity
Introduce requires an object.
Prepositional Phrases
Introduce to...
Passive Voice
He was introduced.
Examples by Level
I want to introduce you to my sister.
I want to show you my sister.
introduce + object + to
Please introduce yourself to the class.
She introduced me to her parents.
Can I introduce my friend?
We were introduced at a party.
He introduced the new teacher.
They introduced the game to us.
Let me introduce my brother.
The company introduced a new phone.
They introduced me to jazz music.
The law was introduced last year.
I introduced him to my boss.
She introduced a new way to work.
They introduced us to the team.
He introduced the topic of money.
We will introduce the plan tomorrow.
The teacher introduced the lesson with a story.
They introduced a new policy for safety.
I was introduced to the concept of mindfulness.
The government introduced new taxes.
He introduced me to his favorite author.
She introduced the guest speaker.
We need to introduce more variety.
They introduced the product to the market.
The scientist introduced a new variable to the experiment.
They introduced legislation to protect the environment.
The manager introduced a new workflow system.
He was introduced as the keynote speaker.
The brand introduced a sustainable line of clothing.
She introduced the idea of a flexible schedule.
They introduced me to the intricacies of the job.
The club introduced a new membership fee.
The author introduces the protagonist in the first chapter.
The policy was introduced to curb inflation.
They introduced a radical shift in strategy.
The professor introduced the theory of relativity.
The committee introduced a series of reforms.
He introduced a subtle change in tone.
The software introduces a new way to collaborate.
They introduced me to the nuances of the language.
The philosopher introduces the concept of existential dread.
The architect introduced elements of brutalism.
The artist introduced a new medium to her work.
The legislation introduces a framework for accountability.
They introduced a paradigm shift in the field.
The author introduces a sense of irony early on.
The system introduces a level of complexity.
The treaty introduces a new era of cooperation.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"introduce the ropes"
teaching someone how to do a job
I will show you the ropes.
casual"introduce a new chapter"
starting a new phase in life
Moving is a new chapter.
neutral"introduce into the fold"
bringing someone into a group
He was introduced to the fold.
formal"introduce a wild card"
adding an unpredictable element
That introduced a wild card.
casual"introduce order to chaos"
organizing a messy situation
She introduced order to the office.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean to show.
Present is more formal.
I presented the award.
Both relate to people.
You meet someone, you introduce someone else.
I met him yesterday.
Both mean starting.
Launch is for products.
They launched the ship.
Both mean starting.
Initiate is for processes.
Initiate the sequence.
Sentence Patterns
I introduced [person] to [person].
I introduced John to Mary.
They introduced [product] to the [market].
They introduced the car to the market.
He introduced [topic] in the [meeting].
He introduced the topic in the meeting.
She was introduced to [concept].
She was introduced to yoga.
We introduced [change] to the [system].
We introduced changes to the system.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
You must use 'to' when linking people.
You meet a friend, you don't introduce them to yourself.
The correct preposition is 'to'.
Needs the article.
It is a verb, not a noun.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a door opening and you leading someone through it.
Native Usage
Use 'Let me introduce you to...' for a polite social start.
Cultural Insight
Handshakes are common in many cultures during introductions.
Grammar Rule
Always use 'to' after introduce when referring to people.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'duce' sound.
Avoid This
Don't say 'I introduce you my friend'.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for 'leading inside'.
Study Smart
Use the word in a sentence about your daily life.
Writing Tip
Use it to start an essay topic.
Speaking Tip
Practice the phrase 'May I introduce...' for formal events.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
IN (inside) + TRO (to) + DUC (lead).
Visual Association
A person leading a new guest into a room.
Word Web
Challenge
Introduce someone new to your friend today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To lead inside
Cultural Context
None, it is a neutral term.
In English-speaking cultures, introductions are often brief and include a handshake.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Social Gatherings
- Let me introduce you to...
- Have you met...?
- Nice to meet you.
Business Meetings
- I'd like to introduce our speaker.
- We are introducing a new strategy.
Academic Writing
- This paper introduces the concept of...
- The author introduces...
Product Launch
- We are proud to introduce our new product.
Conversation Starters
"Who was the last person you introduced to a friend?"
"What is a new product you would like to see introduced?"
"How do you feel when you are introduced to a large group?"
"What is a good way to introduce a difficult topic?"
"Have you ever been introduced to someone famous?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you introduced two friends.
Write about a new habit you introduced into your life.
If you could introduce a new law, what would it be?
How would you introduce your favorite hobby to a beginner?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt can be both formal and neutral.
Use 'introduce X to Y'.
Yes, for products or ideas.
Introduction.
Yes.
Yes, it means to show someone around.
Very often.
No, you introduce someone, you don't introduce yourself to yourself.
Test Yourself
I want to ___ you to my mother.
Introduce is used to connect people.
Which means to bring something new?
Introduce means to bring in.
You introduce a person to a place.
You can introduce someone to a new environment.
Word
Meaning
Synonym matching.
Subject + verb + object + to + object.
Score: /5
Summary
Introduce is the bridge between people or the spark that starts something new.
- Used to help people meet.
- Used to bring new things into use.
- Followed by 'to' when talking about people.
- Commonly used in both formal and informal settings.
Memory Palace
Imagine a door opening and you leading someone through it.
Native Usage
Use 'Let me introduce you to...' for a polite social start.
Cultural Insight
Handshakes are common in many cultures during introductions.
Grammar Rule
Always use 'to' after introduce when referring to people.
Example
I want to introduce you to my best friend, Sarah.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
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