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.
Obviously, I had read the book beforehand, so I had an idea of what she was going to go through, but I didn’t necessarily know how it was going pan out onscreen.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
But even Bush had reporters with him, and Clinton’s staff told at least one journalist about the switch beforehand.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
If you do your research, are open to meeting new people and make some connections beforehand, I think you have a good chance of enjoying pretty much anywhere.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
At least, "we can detect the precursor of the smoky flavour beforehand".
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
They were surprised because he had not told them the reason for the meeting beforehand, so when people arrived they were not sure what it would all be about.
From "The Girl Who Married a Lion: and Other Tales from Africa" by Alexander Mccall Smith
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.