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

Practicing realistic scenarios beforehand is essential. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

Residents vote beforehand on how the funds will be allocated, whether to a community member in need or a public service project. —Carlie Procell, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026

Practicing realistic scenarios beforehand is essential. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026

Additionally, a host’s kitchen is not necessarily the space to engage in complicated cooking projects, and avoid luxuriating in a deep bathtub for hours (unless expressly discussed beforehand). —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 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