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
• inopportunely
• precociously
• prematurely
• unseasonably

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

Famously, those who do not attend the Met Gala cannot actually watch what takes place inside the event, but there is plenty of action to be seen beforehand. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 2 May 2025

Plan out finances beforehand to mitigate future conflicts. 5. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025

As part of their plan to take over Hamilton Hall, the suit states that protesters gathered information about the building beforehand, and even had detailed maps that contained the locations of fire extinguishers, water fountains, and electrical panels. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Security was tight with patrols of police officers, and access to some roads to the prisons restricted for hours beforehand. —Reuters, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 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