teaser trailer

Meaning

A very short video clip that advertises an upcoming movie, TV show, or video game. Unlike a full trailer, it is released early in the marketing campaign and only shows a few exciting scenes to build anticipation without revealing the plot.

Examples

• The studio just dropped a 30-second teaser trailer for the new sci-fi movie.

  The studio just dropped a 30-second teaser trailer for the new sci-fi movie.

• I've watched the teaser trailer five times already, looking for hidden clues.

  I've watched the teaser trailer five times already, looking for hidden clues.

• Even though it was just a teaser trailer, it got millions of views in an hour.

  Even though it was just a teaser trailer, it got millions of views in an hour.

• Don't expect to see much story in a teaser trailer; it's mostly just about setting the mood.

  Don't expect to see much story in a teaser trailer; it's mostly just about setting the mood.

• They showed a quick teaser trailer at the end of the conference to surprise the fans.

  They showed a quick teaser trailer at the end of the conference to surprise the fans.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I watched the tease trailer yesterday.

  ✓ I watched the teaser trailer yesterday.

  'Teaser' is the correct noun adjunct form used to describe this specific type of preview. 'Tease' is a verb or a different noun.

• ✗ The teaser trailer explained the whole story of the movie.

  ✓ The full trailer explained the whole story of the movie.

  A teaser trailer is meant to tease the audience, not explain the plot. It is deliberately short and vague.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The Marvel universe just released a short ___ to get fans excited for next year's film.

  💡 A very short preview video.

  Show answer

  teaser trailer

• I don't want to watch the full trailer, but I will watch the ___ to get a quick vibe of the show.

  💡 The early, short promotional video.

  Show answer

  teaser trailer