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 board member said his post followed a message the district had sent to Kennedy families shortly beforehand. — Chaewon Chung july 16, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Transition them outside when temperatures are warm enough for the particular herb (this varies, so do some research beforehand). — Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026

The instructions on the packet tell you to take at least an hour beforehand, but my secret is to take it the night before. — Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 15 July 2026

Bounou bluffs Most of the penalty kicks (43 of them), in this World Cup have been conventional goalkeeper-independent kicks, where the penalty taker has decided beforehand where to shoot, and just aims to get it there with pace and precision. — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 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