print preview

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A screen view that shows how a document will look on paper before it is actually printed.

   Grammar: Countable: open the print preview.

   Patterns

   • check the print preview
   • open print preview

   Open the print preview to see whether the table fits on one page.

   The print preview showed that the last line spilled onto a second page.

   I always check the print preview before sending a long report to the printer.

2. 2noununcountable

   The feature or button in software that opens this view.

   Grammar: Often used without an article when naming the feature: use Print Preview.

   Patterns

   • click Print Preview

   Click Print Preview in the File menu.

   This program has no print preview, which is annoying.

   Print preview saves paper and ink.

Common combinations

open print preview

Open print preview to check the margins.

check the print preview

Check the print preview before printing.

print preview mode

The page looks different in print preview mode.

use print preview

Use print preview to avoid wasting paper.

Synonyms and how they differ

preview

Preview is broader and can refer to any advance look, not just on screen before printing.

page view

Page view shows the document as pages while editing, but print preview is the final check.

proof

A proof is a printed sample, whereas print preview is on screen.

Word family

print verb

to produce text on paper

preview noun

an advance look at something

printer noun

a machine that prints

printout noun

a paper copy from a printer

Commonly confused: print preview or print screen?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “print preview”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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