beforehand

adverb or adjective

be·​fore·​hand bi-ˈfȯr-ˌhand 

bē-

1

a

: in anticipation

b

: in advance

2

: ahead of time : early

Synonyms of beforehand

• early
• immediately

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

Federal law currently bans most robocalls to cellphones unless the caller gets consent beforehand. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026

At the same time, Zaslav more than doubled the number of employees who held equity in WBD compared with the two companies separately beforehand. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

His attorneys had warned in legal filings beforehand that his medical problems — including lung cancer, COPD, prostate cancer and pneumonia — could make for an exceptionally painful execution. — Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026

That might mean that coverage is verified or the patient receives understandable information about the options beforehand. — Prashanthi Nuthi, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

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