epilogue - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
epilogue Word Meanings
- a concluding section of a literary work
- a final comment or statement
- something that concludes or wraps up
epilogue Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
epilogue Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɛpɪlɒɡ/
US
/ˈɛpɪlɔɡ/
epilogue Word Etymology
Root: 'epi-' (upon) + 'logue' (speech). Historical origin: Latin 'epilogus' → Old French 'epilogue' → English. Memory image: Imagine a storyteller wrapping up their tale with an insightful reflection, like placing the final piece upon a mosaic.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
An epilogue is the concluding section of a literary work that follows the main narrative. It wraps up remaining questions, reveals what happens to characters after the dramatic climax, and often offers a moment of reflection or foreshadowing for future stories. Epilogues are not required in every book, but they can provide closure, tie back to motifs introduced earlier, and give readers a sense of completion. People sometimes use the word more loosely to refer to a final comment or coda in other media. Memory image: imagine placing the last piece on a mosaic to finish the scene.
Usage Reminders
- • Use epilogue to provide closure after the main story.
- • Distinguish epilogue from prologue.
- • Notice tone: reflective or forward-looking.
- • Common collocations: epilogue to the novel, in the epilogue, emotional epilogue.
- • Don’t overuse; not every book needs one.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing epilogue with prologue
- Epilogue always explains every detail after the end
- Only novels have epilogues
- Epilogue and afterword are the same
- Epilogue is a requirement in every book
Thinking Differences
English learners often treat epilogue as just a closing line; focus is on after-the-end implications and closure, not just appendices.
Learning Tips
- Study common collocations (epilogue to the novel, in the epilogue).
- Differentiate epilogue from prologue by function, not length.
- Visualize the closing moment as closure, not a teaser.
- Practice writing a brief epilogue for a story.
- Read examples with reflective tone to recognize mood.
- Keep a memory image of the last puzzle piece.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does 'epilogue' mean?
A.A concluding section of a piece of writing
B.A type of dance
C.A form of exercise
D.A photographic technique
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'epilogue' correctly?
A.They wrote an epilogue to summarize the findings of their study.
B.The epilogue was full of suspense and action scenes.
C.She decided to skip the epilogue and start reading the next book.
D.He cooked a delicious epilogue for dinner.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'epilogue'?
A.Preface
B.Conclusion
C.Appendix
D.Prologue
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'epilogue'?
A.Introduction
B.Prologue
C.Summary
D.Ending
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where 'epilogue' might be relevant?
A.At the end of the play, the audience was eager for the epilogue to reveal what happened to the characters.
B.The teacher handed out the final exam papers.
C.The chef prepared a dessert to conclude the meal.
D.The company announced its annual report.
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