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

In the two days beforehand, the cables linking Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania were slashed underwater, according to Reuters. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024

The filing was not telegraphed to investors beforehand and came as a surprise to traders not expecting it on Election Day, the very day the former president and Trump Media majority owner squares off against Vice President Kamala Harris. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

A week beforehand, a routine blood test at 17 weeks into Kristin's pregnancy had come back with devastating results. —Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024

This could be for the April, June or October deadline, but make sure it is filed beforehand. —Nathalie Goldstein, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

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