beforehand

adverb or adjective

be·​fore·​hand bi-ˈfȯr-ˌhand 

bē-

1

a

: in anticipation

b

: in advance

2

: ahead of time : early

Synonyms

• early
• inopportunely
• precociously
• prematurely
• unseasonably

Examples of beforehand in a Sentence

if you arrive beforehand, we won't be entirely prepared yet

if you get ready beforehand, you won't have to rush at the last minute

Recent Examples on the Web

Skinner couldn’t stop Wyatt Johnston, but almost every Oiler on the ice made a mistake in the seconds beforehand. —Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

One shopper took them on a trip to England and Italy and was able to walk more than 80,000 steps without having to break them in beforehand. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2025

This technique uses a specialized tool that implants hair directly without the need for creating recipient sites beforehand. —Kyle J. Russell, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025

Fine, who was elected to the Florida state Senate in 2024, previously served as a state House representative and worked beforehand as a casino executive. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for beforehand

• analysand
• misunderstand
• ampersand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland

Kids Definition

beforehand

adverb

be·​fore·​hand -ˌhand 

: ahead of time : in advance