before

1 of 3

adverb or adjective

be·fore bi-ˈfȯr How to pronounce before (audio)

bē-

: in advance : ahead

marching on before

: at an earlier time

the night before

knew her before

before

2 of 3

preposition

a(1)

: forward of : in front of

stood before the fire

(2)

: in the presence of

speaking before the conference

: under the jurisdiction or consideration of

the case before the court

c(1)

: at the disposal of

the great sums placed before him

(2)

: in store for

got the whole summer before you

: preceding in time : earlier than

just before noon

: in a higher or more important position than

put quantity before quality

before

3 of 3

conjunction

a(1)

: earlier than the time that

call me before you go

(2)

: sooner or quicker than

I'll be done before you know it

(3)

: so that … do not

get out of there before you get dirty

: until the time that

miles to go before I sleep

Robert Frost

c(1)

: or else … not

must be convicted before he can be removed from office

(2)

: or else

get out of here before I call a cop

: rather or sooner than

would starve before he'd steal

Example Sentences

Preposition We arrived shortly before six o'clock. He left just before sunrise. I've never seen her so happy before now. Call me before your arrival. She arrived the day before yesterday. Why haven't you ever helped me before now? Your name is listed before mine. You'll see my house just before the bank and after the school. The Great Plains stretched endlessly before them. The championship fight took place before a crowd of thousands. Conjunction He left long before morning came. Say goodbye before you go. Call me before you arrive. I finished the exam before he did. It was not long before he arrived. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb or adjective

Like your milk, eggs and gasoline, at least some of Apple’s new iPhones may wind up costing you more than before.

Chris Velazco, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 More Americans are opting to buy luxury vehicles than ever before, a shift fueled by cash-rich buyers who were able to bank savings during the pandemic and growing wealth among shoppers in the upper-income brackets.

Ryan Felton, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Astronomers have long studied the Tarantula Nebula, which got its namesake due to its resemblance to a burrowing tarantula's home, but Webb's Near-Infrared Camera brought it into clearer focus than ever before.

Paul Best, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2022 The address, which was part of Meghan and Prince Harry return to the U.K. for a series of charity visits, is the latest example of how the Duchess of Sussex is using her voice more than ever before.

Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 In the only bit of good news for Africa, more children seem to be in primary school than in years before.

Alexander Onukwue, Quartz, 5 Sep. 2022 In this new season, get ready for more drama than ever before.

Amy Leona Havin | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 5 Sep. 2022 Having been exposed to the blob many times before, readers are primed to recognize what the blob is signifying.

John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 The multi-talented, multi-hyphenate creative is getting her art out there more than ever before.

Lisa Respers France, CNN, 3 Sep. 2022

Preposition

Rounding out the Top 5 were women's dance group The Mayyas, who wowed the night before with their stunning synchronicity, and magician Mervant Vera — which meant the end of the road for comedian Jordan Conley.

Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Court records obtained by Memphis ABC affiliate WATN indicate that an arrest warrant on the charge of first-degree murder was issued for Kelly on Wednesday, before the shooting spree happened.

Jon Haworth, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2022 If the owners still want to rehome the pet, IACS asks that owners try other options before bringing the pet into the shelter to surrender.

Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2022 His world tour is set to kick off March 25 in Arlington, Texas, and will wind across North America before heading to New Zealand, Australia and Europe.

Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2022 The cameras have never recorded the footage before out of storage concerns.

Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Courtney Montgomery, 33, of Cincinnati, is accused of forcing his way into a woman's Fountains Boulevard apartment, where police say a physical confrontation took place before the shooting.

Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2022 The Calvert Hall soccer team was arm-locked in a tight circle in the middle of the field moments before its season opener late last month.

Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 Before Sudeikis won this award for the very nice Ted Lasso, and before Eugene Levy won this award for the very nice Schitt's Creek, Hader dominated this category for two straight years with the decidedly not-nice (and outstanding) Barry.

Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English beforan, from be- + foran before, from fore

Preposition

Middle English before, beforen, going back to Old English beforan — more at before entry 1

Conjunction

Middle English before, beforen, from before, beforen, before entry 2

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Conjunction

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

before 1 of 3

adverb

be·fore bi-ˈfȯr How to pronounce before (audio)

: at an earlier time

I've been here before.

: ahead

go on before

before

2 of 3

preposition

: in front of

He stood before a mirror.

: earlier than

You got there before me.

: before in order

Your name is listed before mine.

: in the presence of

She spoke before a crowd.

before

3 of 3

conjunction

: ahead of the time when

Wash before you eat.

: sooner or quicker than

I'll be done before you know it.

: more willingly than

I'd starve before I'd steal.

: until the time that

It wasn't long before he caught on.

before 1 of 2

preposition

as in to

earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

to
until
till
of
prior to
previous to
ere
'fore
ahead of
afore
fore
in advance of
up to

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

after
since
following
next
next to

as in against

preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

against
ahead of
afore
'fore
fore
in front of
in advance of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

after
following

before

2 of 2

adverb

as in earlier

so as to precede something in order of time their arrival was completely expected because a messenger had gone before

Synonyms & Similar Words

earlier
ahead
early
already
previously
beforehand
now
in advance
shortly
afore
first
soon
preliminarily
anteriorly
formerly
prematurely
antecedently
before long
a priori
first off
presently
erelong

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

later
afterwards
after
afterward
subsequently
next
behind
by and by

单词	before
释义	before 1 of 3 adverb or adjective be·fore bi-ˈfȯr bē- 1 : in advance : ahead marching on before 2 : at an earlier time the night before knew her before before 2 of 3 preposition 1 a(1) : forward of : in front of stood before the fire (2) : in the presence of speaking before the conference b : under the jurisdiction or consideration of the case before the court c(1) : at the disposal of the great sums placed before him (2) : in store for got the whole summer before you 2 : preceding in time : earlier than just before noon 3 : in a higher or more important position than put quantity before quality before 3 of 3 conjunction 1 a(1) : earlier than the time that call me before you go (2) : sooner or quicker than I'll be done before you know it (3) : so that … do not get out of there before you get dirty b : until the time that miles to go before I sleep Robert Frost c(1) : or else … not must be convicted before he can be removed from office (2) : or else get out of here before I call a cop 2 : rather or sooner than would starve before he'd steal Synonyms Adverb or adjective afore [chiefly dialect] ahead already antecedently anteriorly beforehand earlier formerly preliminarily previously Preposition afore [chiefly dialect] ahead of ere fore [chiefly dialect] 'fore of previous to prior to to See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Preposition We arrived shortly before six o'clock. He left just before sunrise. I've never seen her so happy before now. Call me before your arrival. She arrived the day before yesterday. Why haven't you ever helped me before now? Your name is listed before mine. You'll see my house just before the bank and after the school. The Great Plains stretched endlessly before them. The championship fight took place before a crowd of thousands. Conjunction He left long before morning came. Say goodbye before you go. Call me before you arrive. I finished the exam before he did. It was not long before he arrived. See More Recent Examples on the Web Adverb or adjective Like your milk, eggs and gasoline, at least some of Apple’s new iPhones may wind up costing you more than before. Chris Velazco, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 More Americans are opting to buy luxury vehicles than ever before, a shift fueled by cash-rich buyers who were able to bank savings during the pandemic and growing wealth among shoppers in the upper-income brackets. Ryan Felton, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Astronomers have long studied the Tarantula Nebula, which got its namesake due to its resemblance to a burrowing tarantula's home, but Webb's Near-Infrared Camera brought it into clearer focus than ever before. Paul Best, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2022 The address, which was part of Meghan and Prince Harry return to the U.K. for a series of charity visits, is the latest example of how the Duchess of Sussex is using her voice more than ever before. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 In the only bit of good news for Africa, more children seem to be in primary school than in years before. Alexander Onukwue, Quartz, 5 Sep. 2022 In this new season, get ready for more drama than ever before. Amy Leona Havin \| The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 5 Sep. 2022 Having been exposed to the blob many times before, readers are primed to recognize what the blob is signifying. John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 The multi-talented, multi-hyphenate creative is getting her art out there more than ever before. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 3 Sep. 2022 Preposition Rounding out the Top 5 were women's dance group The Mayyas, who wowed the night before with their stunning synchronicity, and magician Mervant Vera — which meant the end of the road for comedian Jordan Conley. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Court records obtained by Memphis ABC affiliate WATN indicate that an arrest warrant on the charge of first-degree murder was issued for Kelly on Wednesday, before the shooting spree happened. Jon Haworth, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2022 If the owners still want to rehome the pet, IACS asks that owners try other options before bringing the pet into the shelter to surrender. Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2022 His world tour is set to kick off March 25 in Arlington, Texas, and will wind across North America before heading to New Zealand, Australia and Europe. Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2022 The cameras have never recorded the footage before out of storage concerns. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Courtney Montgomery, 33, of Cincinnati, is accused of forcing his way into a woman's Fountains Boulevard apartment, where police say a physical confrontation took place before the shooting. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2022 The Calvert Hall soccer team was arm-locked in a tight circle in the middle of the field moments before its season opener late last month. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 Before Sudeikis won this award for the very nice Ted Lasso, and before Eugene Levy won this award for the very nice Schitt's Creek, Hader dominated this category for two straight years with the decidedly not-nice (and outstanding) Barry. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adverb or adjective Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English beforan, from be- + foran before, from fore Preposition Middle English before, beforen, going back to Old English beforan — more at before entry 1 Conjunction Middle English before, beforen, from before, beforen, before entry 2 First Known Use Adverb Or Adjective before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Preposition before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Conjunction 13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Phrases Containing before been/gone down this/that road before before one can blink before long (and) not before time (too) before bed before the hour before someone's eyes before one's time count one's chickens before they're hatched count one's chickens (before they hatch) cast/throw pearls before swine carry all/everything before (one) bring before before the wind die before one's time go before look before one leaps put before old before one's time the day before yesterday the calm/lull before the storm put the cart before the horse walk before one can run walk before one runs before one knows it before the mast See More been/gone down this/that road before before one can blink before long (and) not before time (too) before bed before the hour before someone's eyes before one's time count one's chickens before they're hatched count one's chickens (before they hatch) cast/throw pearls before swine carry all/everything before (one) bring before before the wind die before one's time go before look before one leaps put before old before one's time the day before yesterday the calm/lull before the storm put the cart before the horse walk before one can run walk before one runs before one knows it before the mast See More Kids Definition before 1 of 3 adverb be·fore bi-ˈfȯr 1 : at an earlier time I've been here before. 2 : ahead go on before before 2 of 3 preposition 1 : in front of He stood before a mirror. 2 : earlier than You got there before me. 3 : before in order Your name is listed before mine. 4 : in the presence of She spoke before a crowd. before 3 of 3 conjunction 1 : ahead of the time when Wash before you eat. 2 : sooner or quicker than I'll be done before you know it. 3 : more willingly than I'd starve before I'd steal. 4 : until the time that It wasn't long before he caught on. Legal Definition before preposition be·fore 1 : in the presence of then personally appeared before me 2 : to be judged or acted on by a case before the court a bill coming up before Congress before 1 of 2 preposition 1 as in to earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance to until till of prior to previous to ere 'fore ahead of afore fore in advance of up to Antonyms & Near Antonyms after since following next next to 2 as in against preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents Synonyms & Similar Words against ahead of afore 'fore fore in front of in advance of Antonyms & Near Antonyms after following before 2 of 2 adverb as in earlier so as to precede something in order of time their arrival was completely expected because a messenger had gone before Synonyms & Similar Words earlier ahead early already previously beforehand now in advance shortly afore first soon preliminarily anteriorly formerly prematurely antecedently before long a priori first off presently erelong Antonyms & Near Antonyms later afterwards after afterward subsequently next behind by and by See More Phrases Containing before before long before long
随便看	Reptantia reptantiae reptantias reptations reptatorial reptatory reptd reptile reptilelike reptiler reptiles reptilest Reptilia reptilia reptiliae reptilian reptilian age reptilians reptilias reptiloid reptures republic Republic Day republic of georgia republic of ireland

before

adverb or adjective

preposition

conjunction

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing before

Kids Definition

adverb

preposition

conjunction

Legal Definition

preposition

preposition

adverb

Phrases Containing before