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

Her best friend, Jenn Sullivan, was also in attendance for moral support, even helping prep the former Lizzie's Heritage Inn owner beforehand. —Dory Jackson, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025

Argentina had been awarded the tournament 12 years beforehand, but the situation in the country had changed dramatically since then, with the government ousted by a military junta headed by General Jorge Rafael Videla. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025

Among the submissions is a letter from Virginia Huynh, a former girlfriend who did not testify during the trial but met with prosecutors beforehand. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Deadlier shooters more often leaked their plans or showed signs of being in crisis beforehand. —James Densley, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 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