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

Many experts warned that these capabilities existed beforehand, but hackers could use Mythos to expose software vulnerabilities more quickly. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 2 June 2026

Teams could also sidestep trade restrictions by agreeing long beforehand to make trades immediately after the draft. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Cooney said Prairie Progress scheduled their visits beforehand at both locations and remained peaceful throughout. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Bassist and composer Esperanza Spalding has described how, during performances of a standard, Stella by Starlight, the group quietly began redefining the internal mechanics of the group’s playing, without explicitly informing Davis beforehand. —Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 28 May 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