prelude vs overture

prelude and overture both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
prelude	Yes	No	Yes	No
overture	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, prelude and overture are synonyms defined as:

prelude and overture: something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows

Other synonyms of prelude include preliminary.

prelude (noun)	overture (noun)
music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera	a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows	orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
	something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows

prelude (verb)	overture (verb)
play as a prelude
serve as a prelude or opening to