beforehand
Americanadverb
adjective
Etymology
Origin of beforehand
First recorded in 1175–1225, beforehand is from the Middle English word bifor-hand. See before, hand
Vocabulary lists containing beforehand
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He and his friend had gone into Tunduma on 1 April to meet a client about a car sale and decided to eat lunch beforehand.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
In this instance, you could have told her you’re eating beforehand.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
Unlike other white blood cells, such as B cells and T cells, natural killer cells do not need to encounter a specific target beforehand, allowing them to respond quickly.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
The 10-year OAT yield was last up 0.3 basis point on the day at 4.109% after the data, versus 4.115%, up 0.9 basis point beforehand, according to Tradeweb.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
But shortly beforehand, the two men died—hours apart, in the same hospital, of a similar respiratory ailment.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
