Review vs. Preview — What's the Difference?

Encourages improvement.

Generates awareness.

Informs decision-making.

Highlights key aspects.

Evaluation or critique.

Often promotional.

Reflects on past events.

Sneak peek or foresight.

Can be positive or negative.

Builds anticipation.

A review is an evaluation of a publication, service, or company such as a movie (a movie review), video game (video game review), musical composition (music review of a composition or recording), book (book review); a piece of hardware like a car, home appliance, or computer; or softwares such as business software, sales softwares; or an event or performance, such as a live music concert, play, musical theater show, dance show or art exhibition. In addition to a critical evaluation, the review's author may assign the work a rating to indicate its relative merit.

An advance showing, as of a movie or art exhibition, to which a selected audience is invited before public presentation begins.

To look over, study, or examine again

Also pre·vue An advance viewing or exhibition, especially the presentation of several scenes advertising a forthcoming movie; a trailer.

To consider retrospectively; look back on

An introductory or preliminary message, sample, or overview; a foretaste.

To examine with an eye to criticism or correction

To view or exhibit in advance.

To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).

To provide a preliminary sample or overview of

(Law) To evaluate (a decision made by or action taken by a lower court) to determine whether any error was made.

An experience of something in advance.

To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.

(colloquial) An advance showing of a film, exhibition etc.

To go over or restudy material

Something seen in advance. en

To write critical reviews, especially for a newspaper or magazine.

(computing) a facility for seeing and checking a document or photo, or changes to it, before saving and/or printing it.

A reexamination or reconsideration.

To show or watch something, or part of it, before it is complete.

A retrospective view or survey.

(computing) To show something in advance, a facility for seeing and checking a document or photo, or changes to it, before saving and/or printing it.

A restudying of subject matter.

An advertisement consisting of short scenes from a motion picture that will appear in the near future

An exercise for use in restudying material.

A screening for a select audience in advance of release for the general public

A report or essay giving a critical estimate of a work or performance.

Watch (a movie or play) before it is released to the general public

A periodical devoted to articles and essays on current affairs, literature, or art.

An inspection or examination for the purpose of evaluation.

A formal military inspection.

A formal military ceremony held in honor of a person or occasion.

(Law) An evaluation conducted by a higher court of a decision made or action taken by a lower court to determine whether any error was made.

A musical show consisting of often satirical skits, songs, and dances; a revue.

A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights.

An account intended as a critical evaluation of a text or a piece of work.

(legal) A judicial reassessment of a case or an event.

A stage show made up of topical sketches etc.

A survey of the available items or material.

A periodical which makes a survey of the arts or some other field.

A military inspection or display for the benefit of superiors or VIPs.

A forensic inspection to assess compliance with regulations or some code.

To survey; to look broadly over.

To write a critical evaluation of a new art work etc.; to write a review.

To look back over in order to correct or edit; to revise.

To look over again (something previously written or learned), especially in preparation for an examination.

(obsolete) To view or see again; to look back on.

(obsolete) To retrace; to go over again.

To view or see again; to look back on.

To go over and examine critically or deliberately.

To retrace; to go over again.

To look back; to make a review.

A second or repeated view; a reëxamination; a retrospective survey; a looking over again; as, a review of one's studies; a review of life.

An examination with a view to amendment or improvement; revision; as, an author's review of his works.

A critical examination of a publication, with remarks; a criticism; a critique.

A periodical containing critical essays upon matters of interest, as new productions in literature, art, etc.

An inspection, as of troops under arms or of a naval force, by a high officer, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of discipline, equipments, etc.

The judicial examination of the proceedings of a lower court by a higher.

A lesson studied or recited for a second time.

A new appraisal or evaluation

An essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)

A subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment

(accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data

A variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians

A periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art

A summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion

(law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)

Practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory

A formal or official examination;

Look at again; examine again;

Appraise critically;

Hold a review (of troops)

Refresh one's memory;

Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events, etc.); remember;

Typically, reviews are post-event assessments, but anticipatory opinions or analyses based on previews or expectations can occur, though they're not reviews in the traditional sense.

Reviews provide valuable feedback and insights, helping others make informed decisions and creators improve their offerings.

Yes, previews might sometimes present content in an overly positive light, not fully representing the final experience.

No, previews are used in various sectors, including technology, publishing, and events, to generate interest and excitement.

By highlighting the most appealing aspects without revealing too much, creators can spark curiosity and ensure their audience is eagerly awaiting the release.

Often, yes, especially in contexts like movies, games, and books where previews are used to build anticipation before the release, followed by reviews that assess the actual experience.

Feedback can be part of a review, but reviews are usually more structured and comprehensive, often intended for a broader audience.

Yes, with the proliferation of online platforms, anyone can share their evaluations and experiences, contributing to the collective understanding of a product or event.

Positive reviews can boost reputation and sales, while negative reviews may deter potential customers but also offer opportunities for improvement.

A good preview captivates the audience, provides enough information to generate interest, and leaves them wanting more.