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before

prep. · conj. · adv. · n.
US //ˌbiˈfɔɹ// UK //bɪfˈɔː// be·fore
  1. 1 earlier than (prep.)
    A1 Beginner

    at an earlier time than something else.

    preceding a specific event, time, or action in a temporal sequence.

    Example

    Please remember to wash your hands before dinner.

    Example

    The contract must be signed and returned before the close of business on Friday to ensure the project remains on schedule.
  2. 2 in front of (prep.)
    B1 Intermediate

    in front of someone or something.

    positioned in front of or in the presence of someone, often in a formal context.

    Example

    The witness had to stand before the judge and tell the truth.

    Example

    The defendant stood before the magistrate, waiting for the formal charges to be read aloud to the court.
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  1. 3 earlier than the time when (conj.)
    A1 Beginner

    earlier than the time when something happens.

    introducing a subordinate clause that describes an event occurring later than the main clause.

    Example

    He finished his homework before his friends arrived at the house.

    Example

    The researchers gathered all necessary samples before the storm made the coastal site inaccessible for the remainder of the week.
    • ahead of when
  2. 4 at an earlier time (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    at a time in the past.

    at a time preceding the present or a specified point in the past.

    Example

    I think I have seen this movie before, but I don't remember the ending.

    Example

    Although the symptoms seemed familiar, the patient insisted she had never experienced such severe pain before the recent surgery.
  3. 5 the previous state (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the 'start' picture in a pair that shows a change.

    the initial state or image in a comparison, typically paired with 'after' to show the results of a process.

    Example

    The 'before' photo shows how messy the garden was before we cleaned it.

    Example

    The marketing campaign relied heavily on 'before' and 'after' shots to demonstrate the dramatic efficacy of the new skin treatment.
    • initial state
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Old English be- Old English foran Old English beforan Middle English bifore English before Inherited from Middle English before /bifore, from Old English beforan, from be- + foran (“before”), from fore, from Proto-Germanic furai, from Proto-Indo-European per- (“front”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian befoar (“before”), German Low German bevör (“before”), German bevor (“before”).

Word family

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