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

Drivers should fill up beforehand, download maps, and check weather and road conditions before leaving. — Joe Ruch, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Cramer said the pattern was common decades ago, when uncertainty surrounding major bond auctions and Fed decisions could weigh on markets for days beforehand. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

If little credible information existed beforehand, the controversy will likely occupy a disproportionate share of what people find. — Evan Nierman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Though her substance use wouldn’t reach the breaking point until the mid-eighties, Stevie experienced a flood of health issues and near misses well beforehand. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 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