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

Investigators said Pittman stopped at a gas station beforehand to buy gasoline and removed his vehicle’s license plate. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Purdy had a chance to get out of bounds with a second on the clock but fumbled beforehand, causing the clock to run out. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026

In each of the viewing areas exposed to the sky, a half-dozen large white telescopes had been set up beforehand, complete with stepladders to reach eyepieces already zeroed in on a planet or galaxy. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026

The letter, Mandal said, was a bold overture, given that the city attorney and other key players in the department’s oversight were not consulted beforehand. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 9 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