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

One day after part of a house collapsed in Germantown, CBS News Philadelphia is asking if neighbors were notified of the danger beforehand. —Liz Crawford, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

The same plasma-heating technology is planned for STEP, meaning scientists will be able to replicate and observe its effectiveness beforehand. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026

To limit these kinds of delays, users can prepare accurate information beforehand and double-check key details on both ends of a transaction. —Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026

But students don’t just appear in high school, there is roughly a decade of schooling beforehand. —Michael Maguire, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 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