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

Phaedra knew about Apollo’s invite beforehand, but that doesn’t stop it from shaking things up on this already tense couples’ trip. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Feb. 2025

Wrapped up in the messy Lantern Capital $299 million purchase of the remains of TWC, almost all of this was extinguished in 2018 and by a dismissal by AI International in 2023 due to TWC’s bankruptcy filing of a few years beforehand. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025

The Ann Arbor police confirmed the federal operation, stating that ICE had not informed them beforehand. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

New York Jets → Everton The last three New York Jets head coaches were defensive coordinators beforehand. —Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

beforehand

adverb

be·​fore·​hand -ˌhand 

: ahead of time : in advance