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
• 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

Housing First moves chronically homeless people into permanent housing without requiring them to be sober or in treatment beforehand. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025

United’s prospective new owner, Michael Knighton, was on the pitch beforehand, ball-juggling and blowing kisses to the crowd, and Neil Webb smashed one in from 25 yards on his debut — wild stuff, honestly (yeah, get on with it, Grandad). —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025

Perkins stressed that the idea was always being forged for Channel 4 and Mitchell and Webb did not have discussions with the BBC beforehand. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025

Per the NYTimes, Christian Batty, had reached out to her beforehand to scout available bunnies. —Tabitha Parent, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

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