before
bih-FAW
Before (preposition) means Earlier than a particular time or event. Example: “We arrived before the doors even opened.”
preposition
1
Earlier than a particular time or event.
"We arrived before the doors even opened."
"Please finish your homework before dinner."
"She always has a cup of tea before bed."
2
In front of, in space or in the presence of someone.
"He stood before the judge to hear the verdict."
"The actors bowed before the audience at the end of the play."
"A long road stretched out before us as the sun rose."
adverb
1
At an earlier time; previously.
"I've seen this movie before."
"I'm sure we have met before, but I can't remember where."
"He said he had been to Spain the year before."
conjunction
1
Earlier than the time when something happens.
"Lock the door before you leave."
"Wash your hands before you touch the food."
"Let me know before you set off, so I can meet you."
How to use before
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEarlier than, or in front of, something else in time or space.
Common pairings
before long
the day before
never before
before dinner
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Word forms
- Plural
- befores
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Can you complete this real example?
We arrived _____ the doors even opened.
Etymology
From Old English beforan, formed from be- plus foran ("in front"), ultimately going back to the same Indo-European root meaning "front" that also gives us "fore" and "forward."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for before
See all rhymes for before →Frequently asked questions
What does “before” mean?
The word “before” means earlier than a particular time or event. In plain terms, earlier than, or in front of, something else in time or space.
How do you pronounce “before”?
“Before” is pronounced bih-FAW (/bɪˈfoɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “before” in a sentence?
Here is “before” used in a sentence: “We arrived before the doors even opened.”
What part of speech is “before”?
Depending on how it is used, “before” can be a preposition, an adverb and a conjunction.
Where does the word “before” come from?
The word “before” comes from Old English. From Old English beforan, formed from be- plus foran ("in front"), ultimately going back to the same Indo-European root meaning "front" that also gives us "fore" and "forward.".
Is “before” a common word?
“Before” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “before” have?
“Before” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: earlier than a particular time or event.
What is the difference between before and after?
Before and after are opposites on the timeline. Before means earlier than a point in time or event — 'before lunch' is the stretch leading up to it. After means later than that point — 'after lunch' is the stretch that follows. Before looks back towards what comes first; after looks forward.
What is the difference between before and until?
Before marks a point earlier than an event — 'Finish before six' means complete it at some moment prior to six. Until stresses continuing right up to that point — 'Wait until six' means keep waiting the whole time until six arrives. Before pinpoints; until covers the ongoing stretch.
What is the opposite of before?
As a preposition of time, the opposite of before is after — later than a given moment rather than earlier. 'Before the war' and 'after the war' sit on either side of the same event. When before refers to place or order ('before the judge'), its counterpart is behind or after.
What is an example of 'before'?
Before links one thing to an earlier time or event: 'Call me before noon,' 'Wash your hands before dinner,' or 'She arrived before everyone else.' In each case it places the action earlier on the timeline than the point that follows it.
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