before

[ bih-fawr, -fohr ]

/ bɪˈfɔr, -ˈfoʊr /

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See synonyms for before on Thesaurus.com

preposition

previous to; earlier or sooner than: Phone me before noon.

in front of; ahead of; in advance of: his shadow advancing before him;She stood before the window.

ahead of; in the future of; awaiting: The golden age is before us.

in preference to; rather than: They would die before surrendering.

in precedence of, as in order or rank: We put freedom before wealth.

in the presence or sight of: to appear before an audience.

less than; until: used in indicating the exact time: It's ten before three.

under the jurisdiction or consideration of: He was summoned before a magistrate.

confronted by; in the face of: Before such wild accusations, he was too stunned to reply.

in the regard of: a crime before God and humanity.

under the overwhelming influence of: bending before the storm.

without figuring or deducting: income before deductions.

adverb

in front; in advance; ahead: The king entered with macebearers walking before.

in time preceding; previously: If we'd known before, we'd have let you know.

earlier or sooner: Begin at noon, not before.

conjunction

previous to the time when: Send the telegram before we go.

sooner than; rather than: I will die before I submit.

OPPOSITES FOR before

13 after, behind.

14 afterward, subsequently.

15 later.

See antonyms for before on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of before

First recorded before 1000; Middle English beforen, Old English beforan, equivalent to be by + foran “before” (fore fore¹ + -an adverb suffix)

Words nearby before

befitting, beflag, beflowered, befog, befool, before, beforehand, before long, before the wind, beforetime, before you can say Jack Robinson

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use before in a sentence

Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
In secret, before the referendum, the council went ahead and fluoridated the water anyway.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Just the hard-on before you shoot unarmed members of the public.
'Babylon' Review: The Dumb Lives of Trigger-Happy Cops|Melissa Leon|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Was there an investigation of people at DOJ before they arrived at that conclusion?
Ex-CBS Reporter Sharyl Attkisson’s Battle Royale With the Feds|Lloyd Grove|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Between 25 and 30, you’re trying to decide how much longer before you start growing a beard and calling yourself ‘Daddy.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And he was gone, and out of sight on the swift galloping Benito, before Father Gaspara bethought himself.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
Descending the Alps to the east or south into Piedmont, a new world lies around and before you.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Before Ripperda could unclasp his lips to reply, the stranger had opened the door, and passed through it like a gliding shadow.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Louis stood firm, though pale and respectful, before the resentful gaze of Elizabeth.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Babylas raised his pale face; he knew what was coming; it had come so many times before.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for before

before

/ (bɪˈfɔː) /

conjunction (subordinating)

earlier than the time when

rather thanhe'll resign before he agrees to it

preposition

preceding in space or time; in front of; ahead ofstanding before the altar

when confronted byto withdraw before one's enemies

in the presence ofto be brought before a judge

in preference toto put friendship before money

adverb

at an earlier time; previously; beforehand; in front

Word Origin for before

Old English beforan; related to Old Frisian befara, Old High German bifora

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with before

before

In addition to the idioms beginning with before

before long
before the wind
before you can say Jack Robinson
before you know it

also see:

cart before the horse
cast pearls before swine
look before you leap

before

OPPOSITES FOR before

Origin of before

Words nearby before

Words related to before

How to use before in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for before

Word Origin for before

Other Idioms and Phrases with before