beyond
bih-YOND
Beyond (prep) means Further away than, or on the far side of, a place or point. Example: “Beyond the fence there is a quiet field where the horses graze.”
prep
1
Further away than, or on the far side of, a place or point.
"Beyond the fence there is a quiet field where the horses graze."
"The village lies just beyond the hills."
"His ambitions reached far beyond the small town where he grew up."
2
Later than, or exceeding, a certain limit.
"The guests stayed beyond midnight, so the host made a final pot of tea."
"Please do not go beyond the time limit when you give your talk."
"The meeting ran beyond its scheduled hour."
3
Outside the range of understanding or ability.
"Why anyone would enjoy such a long, boring film is beyond me."
"Fixing the engine was beyond his skill, so he called a mechanic."
"The technical details were beyond her at the time."
noun
1
(with "the") Whatever lies beyond death or normal understanding; the hereafter.
"Some people find comfort in believing that something good awaits us in the beyond."
"The poem describes a quiet journey into the beyond."
"The novel explores what might wait for us in the beyond."
How to use beyond
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFurther than a point in space, time, or understanding — "on the other side of" something.
Common pairings
beyond doubt
beyond belief
go beyond
beyond repair
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Word forms
- Plural
- beyonds
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the fence there is a quiet field where the horses graze.
Etymology
From Old English beġeondan, formed from be- and geond ("yonder") — closely related to "yonder."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “beyond” mean?
The word “beyond” means further away than, or on the far side of, a place or point. In plain terms, further than a point in space, time, or understanding — "on the other side of" something.
How do you pronounce “beyond”?
“Beyond” is pronounced bih-YOND (/biˈ(j)ɑnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “beyond” in a sentence?
Here is “beyond” used in a sentence: “The village lies just beyond the hills.”
What is another word for “beyond”?
Words with a similar meaning to “beyond” include ayond and ayont.
What is the opposite of “beyond”?
The opposite of “beyond” — its antonyms — are before and earlier.
What part of speech is “beyond”?
Depending on how it is used, “beyond” can be a preposition and a noun.
Where does the word “beyond” come from?
The word “beyond” comes from Old English. From Old English beġeondan, formed from be- and geond ("yonder") — closely related to "yonder.".
Is “beyond” a common word?
“Beyond” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between beyond and past?
Both can mean on the far side of something, and often swap freely — 'just past the bridge' or 'just beyond the bridge.' Past suggests moving by a point, while beyond stresses the space or region on the other side. Beyond also works figuratively, as in 'beyond belief,' where past would not.
Does beyond only refer to distance?
No. Its literal sense is spatial — 'the fields beyond the river.' But beyond is used just as often for limits and degree: beyond repair, beyond doubt, beyond one's budget, or living beyond your means. In these, it means outside the range or scope of something, not a physical place.
What is an example of beyond in a sentence?
Spatially: 'the trail continues beyond the ridge,' meaning on the far side of it. Figuratively: 'the damage was beyond repair,' meaning past the point where fixing is possible. Both uses share one idea — something lies further than, or outside, a given point or limit.
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