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.
Beforehand, some legal experts predicted the president would lose in a rout.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Beforehand, residents agreed to forego a paycheck, and instead, every hour of work they put in would knock $15 off their rent debt, according to a copy of the contract they signed.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2023
Beforehand, each teacher watched one of two videos introducing this student.
From Scientific American • Oct. 27, 2023
Beforehand, he said, he felt like he was “really flapping my wings” trying to fly.
From New York Times • May 6, 2023
Beforehand the master called all the servants he could trust and told them to get together all of the silver and other things of value.
From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume I, Alabama Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration
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.
