ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Preview (computing)

When you look at a picture on your computer, you might see a little version of it first before you click on it to see the big version. That little version is called a preview. It's like a sneak peek of what the picture looks like.

A preview can also be when you're looking at a document or a video. You might be able to see a little part of it before you open the whole thing up. It's like a tiny taste of what you're about to see.

Previews help you decide if you want to look at something more closely or not. They save you time because you can quickly see if something interests you or not. Think of it like looking through a tiny window before you decide to go through the door.