adv
afore
uh-FAW
Afore (adv) means Before, in time or in position (old-fashioned or dialectal). Example: “He arrived afore the others.”
adv
1
Before, in time or in position (old-fashioned or dialectal).
"He arrived afore the others."
prep
1
Before; ahead of.
"She got there afore dawn."
How to use afore
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned or dialect word for "before."
When to use it
Archaic or regional — modern standard English almost always uses "before" instead.
Easily confused with
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Etymology
From Old English onforan or ætforan, built from a- ("on") plus "fore."
Antonyms
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Rhymes for afore
See all rhymes for afore →Frequently asked questions
What does “afore” mean?
The word “afore” means before, in time or in position (old-fashioned or dialectal). In plain terms, an old-fashioned or dialect word for "before.".
How do you pronounce “afore”?
“Afore” is pronounced uh-FAW (/əˈfoɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “afore” in a sentence?
Here is “afore” used in a sentence: “He arrived afore the others.”
What part of speech is “afore”?
Depending on how it is used, “afore” can be an adverb and a preposition.
Where does the word “afore” come from?
The word “afore” comes from Old English. From Old English onforan or ætforan, built from a- ("on") plus "fore.".
How many meanings does “afore” have?
“Afore” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: before, in time or in position (old-fashioned or dialectal).
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