beforehand

adverb or adjective

be·​fore·​hand bi-ˈfȯr-ˌhand 

bē-

1

a

: in anticipation

b

: in advance

2

: ahead of time : early

Synonyms of beforehand

• early
• immediately

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

The company also said every search of its data will now require a case code to be entered beforehand. — Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Readers learned their behavior was being modeled by a contractor during an earnings call, not a privacy notice, and the employees closet to the readers weren’t told beforehand. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Joe gives Joy a quick lesson on dropping the anchor beforehand. — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Fans will be served drinks, pizza, soft pretzels and popcorn beforehand. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

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